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THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINA 
AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


ENDOWED  BY  THE 
DIALECTIC  AND  PHILANTHROPIC 


SOCIETIES 

PJ7716 

.H68 

1907 

OEMCO 


This  book  is  due  at  the  LOUIS  R.  WILSON  LIBRARY  on  the 
last  date  stamped  under  "Date  Due."  If  not  on  hold  it  may  be 
renewed  by  bringing  it  to  the  library. 


DATE 

DUE  ,- 

pr,  ?,  o  ra* 

i 


1 


Stories  from 

The  Arabian  ^XJghts 

Retold  by  Laurence  Housman 


H odder  and  S to  ugh  ton 
Publishers ,  London 

I 


4 


All  Rights  Reserved 
Printed  in  1907 


Butler  and  Tanner,  The  Seliuood  Printing  Works,  Frome,  and  London 


PREFACE 


Scheherazade,  the  heroine  of  the  Thousand  and 
one  Nights,  ranks  among  the  great  story-tellers 
of  the  world  much  as  does  Penelope  among  the 
weavers.     Procrastination  was  the  basis  of  her 
art ;  for  though  the  task  she  accomplished  was 
splendid  and  memorable,  it  is  rather  in  the 
quantity  than  the  quality  of  her  invention — in 
the  long  spun-out  performance  of  what  could 
have  been  done   far  more   shortly — that  she 
becomes  a  figure  of  dramatic  interest.    The  idea 
which  binds  the  stories  together  is  greater  and 
more  romantic  than  the  stories  themselves  ;  and 
though,  both  in  the  original  and  in  translation, 
the  diurnal  interruption  of  their  flow  is  more  and 
more  taken   for  granted,  we  are  never  quite 


I  Z  13 


vi  PREFACE 

robbed  of  the  sense  that  it  is  Scheherazade  who 
is  speaking — Scheherazade,  loquacious  and  self- 
possessed,  sitting  up  in  bed  at  the  renewed  call 
of  dawn  to  save  her  neck  for  the  round  of  another 
day.  Here  is  a  figure  of  romance  worth  a  dozen 
of  the  prolix  stories  to  which  it  has  been  made 
sponsor  ;  and  often  we  may  have  followed  the 
fortunes  of  some  shoddy  hero  and  heroine 
chiefly  to  determine  at  what  possible  point  of 
interest  the  narrator  could  have  left  hanging  that 
frail  thread  on  which  for  another  twenty-four 
hours  her  life  was  to  depend. 

Yes,  the  idea  is  delightful ;  and,  with  the  fiction 
of  Scheherazade  to  colour  them,  the  tales  acquire 
a  rank  which  they  would  not  otherwise  deserve  ; 
their  prolixity  is  then  the  crowning  point  of  their 
art,  their  sententious  truisms  have  a  flavour  of 
ironic  wit,  their  repetitions  become  humorous, 
their  trivialities  a  mark  of  light-hearted  courage  ; 
even  those  deeper  indiscretions,  which  Burton 


PREFACE  vii 
has  so  faithfully  recorded,  seem  then  but  a  wise 
adaptation  of  vile  means  to  a  noble  end.  And  yet 
we  know  that  it  is  not  so  ;  for,  as  a  matter  of 
fact,  the  "  Arabian  Nights  Entertainment"  is  but  a 
miscellany  gathered  from  various  sources,  of  var- 
ious dates,  and  passing  down  to  us,  even  in  its 
collocated  form,  under  widely  differing  versions. 
None  but  scholars  can  know  how  little  of  the 
unadulterated  originals  has  come  into  our  pos- 
session ;  and  only  those  whose  pious  opinions 
shut  their  eyes  to  obvious  facts  can  object  in 
principle  to  the  simplification  of  a  form  which, 
from  the  point  of  view  of  mere  story-telling,  can 
so  easily  be  bettered.  Even  the  more  accurate  of 
the  versions  ordinarily  available  are  full  of 
abridgement,  alteration,  and  suppression  ;  and  if 
you  have  to  eliminate  Scheherazade  and  select 
your  stories  mainly  with  a  view  to  illustration, 
then  you  have  very  largely  done  away  with  the 
reasons  for  treating  tenderly  that  prolixity  which 


viii  PREFACE 

in  an  impatient  age  tends  to  debar  readers  from 
an  old  classic. 

And  so,  in  the  present  version,  whoever  shall 
care  to  make  comparison  will  find  that 
the  original  material  has  been  treated  with 
considerable  freedom  in  the  direction  of  brevity, 
and  with  an  almost  uniform  departure  from  the 
exact  text,  save  where  essentials  of  plot  or  char- 
acter or  local  colour  required  a  closer  accuracy. 
In  the  case  also  of  conflicting  versions,  there  has 
been  no  reluctance  to  choose  and  combine  in 
order  to  secure  a  livelier  result ;  and  a  further 
freedom  has  sometimes  been  taken  of  giving  to 
an  incident  more  meaning  and  connexion  than 
has  been  allowed  to  it  in  the  original.  That  is, 
perhaps,  the  greatest  licence  of  all,  but  it  is  the 
one  that  does  least  harm  in  formal  result ;  for 
no  one  can  read  the  majority  of  the  tales  in  their 
accepted  versions  without  perceiving  that,  as 
regards  construction  and  the  piecing  of  event 


PREFACE  ix 
with  event,  they  are  either  incredibly  careless  or 
discreditably  perfunctory.  We  have  to  reckon 
with  them  as  the  product  of  a  race  keenly  alive 
to  the  value  of  colour  and  pictorial  description, 
but  a  race  whose  constructive  imagination  was 
feeble  and  diffuse,  lacking  almost  entirely  that 
great  essential  for  the  development  of  art  in  its 
finer  forms — the  economy  of  means  toward  ends. 

But  because  they  contain,  though  at  a  low 
pressure,  the  expression  of  so  much  life,  habit 
and  custom,  so  many  coloured  and  secluded 
interiors,  so  quaint  a  commingling  of  crowds, 
so  brilliant  and  moving  a  pageantry  of  Eastern 
mediasvalism,  because  of  all  these  things  the 
"Arabian  Nights  "  will  still  retain  their  perennial 
charm.  Those  of  us  who  read  are  all  travellers  ; 
and  never  is  our  travelling  sense  so  awakened 
perhaps,  as  when  we  dip  into  a  book  such 
as  this  where  the  incredible  and  the  common- 
place are  so  curiously   blended,    and  where 


\ 


x  PREFACE 

Jinn  and  Efreet  and  Magician  have  far  less  in- 
terest for  us  now  than  the  silly  staring  crowds, 
and  the  bobbing  camels  in  the  narrow  streets,  and 
Scheherazade  spinning  her  poor  thin  yarn  of 
wonders  that  she  may  share  for  another  night  the 
pillow  of  a  homicidal  maniac. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

The  Fisherman  and  the  Genie         — .  i 

The  Story  of  the  King  of  the  Ebony  Isles  17 

Ali  Baba  and  the  Forty  Thieves      .       .  31 

The  Story  of  the  Magic  Horse  ...  66 

The  Story  of  the  Wicked  Half-Brothers  .  100 

The  Story  of  the  Princess  of  Deryabar   .  111 


xi 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


1.  Scheherazade,  the  heroine  of  the  Thousand  and 

One  Nights    .....  Frontispiece 

Page 

2.  And  there  in  its  midst  stood  a  mighty  Genie  .  2 

3.  When  having  brought  into  submission  all  the 

rest  of  my  race  ......  4 

4.  No  sooner  had  the  monarch  seen  them,  so  strange 

of  form  and  so  brilliant  and  diverse  in  hue  9 

5.  Thereupon  the  damsel  upset  the  pan  into  the  fire  10 

6.  Recalling  the  fisherman  by  a  swift  messenger.  10 

7.  He  arrived  within  sight  of  a  palace  of  shining 

marble       .......  14 

8.  The  Queen  of  the  Ebony  Isles         .        .  .17 

9.  Supposing  me  asleep,  they  began  to  talk  .        .  17 

10.  The  cup  of  wine  which  she  gives  him  each  night 

contains  a  sleeping-draught        .        .  .18 

11.  She  went  on  to  vent  her  malice  upon  the  city 

and  islands         .        .        .        .        .  .22 

12.  Began  to  heap  upon  me  terms  of  the  most 

violent  and  shameful  abuse        .        .  .22 
xiii 


xiv  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

13.  Thus  by  her  wicked  machinations  the  city  be- 

came a  lake       ......  22 

14.  Great  was  the  astonishment  of  the  Vizier  and 

the  Sultan's  escort     .        .        .        .  .27 

15.  Their  chief  in  a  low  but  distinct  voice  uttered 

the  two  words  "  Open  Sesame  !  "        .  .32 

16.  Ali  Baba  departed  for  the  town  a  well  satisfied 

man  ........  34 

17.  As  soon  as  he  came  in  she  began  to  jeer  at  him  36 

18.  Greater  still  was  the  exultation  of  a  greedy 

nature  like  that  of  Cassim's       .        .  .38 

19.  Mustapha  doubted  much  of  his  ability  to  refrain 

from  question     .        .        .        .        .  .43 

20.  This  way  and  that  she  led  him  blindfold         .  44 

21.  Having  transformed  himself  by  disguise  .        .  46 

22.  "  Sir,"  said  he,  "  I  have  brought  my  oil  a  great 

distance  to  sell  to-morrow  "        .        .  .51 

23.  She  poured  into  each  jar  in  turn  a  sufficient 

quantity  of  the  boiling  oil  to  scald  its  occu- 
pant to  death     .        .        .        .        .  .54 

24.  When  Morgiana,  who  had  remained  all  this  time 

on  the  watch     .        .        .        .       .  .56 

25.  Then  for  the  last  figure  of  all  she  drew  out 

the  dagger  .......  63 


ILLUSTRATIONS  xv 

Page 

26.  At  so  arrogant  a  claim  all  the  courtiers  burst 

into  loud  laughter      .        .        .        .  .68 

27.  As  he  descended,  the  daylight  in  which  hitherto 

he  had  been  travelling  faded  from  view     .  72 

28.  He  saw  black  eunuchs  lying  asleep  .        .  .73 

29.  She  gave  orders  for  a  rich  banquet  to  be  pre- 

pared        .......  75 

30.  Till  the  tale  of  her  mirror  contented  her        .  76 

31.  She  cried  :  "  O  miserable  man,  what  sorry  watch 

is  this  that  thou  hast  kept "      .        .  .77 

32.  All  this  time  the  Princess  had  been  watching 

the  combat  from  the  roof  of  the  palace     .  84 

33.  In  the  garden  of  the  summer  palace  all  was 

silence  and  solitude    .        .        .        .  .85 

34.  Sat  by  the  lake  and  solaced  themselves  sweetly 

with  love    .......  85 

35.  It  was  in  vain  that  all  the  wisest  physicians  in 

the  country  were  summoned  into  consultation  93 

36.  For  many  months  he  travelled  without  clue    .  94 

37.  And  ever  with  the  tears  falling  down  from  her 

eyes  she  sighed  and  sang   .        .        .  .96 

38.  There  appeared  before  him  an  old  man  of  vener- 

able appearance         .        .        .        .  .100 

39.  Pirouze,  the  fairest  and  most  honourably  born  101 


xvi  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

40.  Reaching  his  farthest  wounded  the  giant  in  the 

knee  ........  107 

41.  The  lady  advanced  to  meet  him    .        .        .  107 

42.  A  city  among  the  Isles  named  Deryabar        .  Ill 

43.  Presently  in  the  distance  he  perceived  a  light  111 

44.  The  ship  struck  upon  a  rock  .        .        .  .115 

45.  And  presently,  feeling  myself  lifted  by  men's 

hands       .......  115 

46.  The  Princess  of  Deryabar       .        .        .  .119 

47.  She  found  to  her  grief  the  place  where  Codadad 

had  lain  left  vacant  .        .        .        .  .121 

48.  She  and  her  companion  arrived  at  the  city  of 

Harran     .......  123 

49.  And  taking  her  hand  he  led  her  to  the  apart- 

ments of  the  Queen  Pirouze     .        .  .127 

50.  After   these,   maidens    on  white   horses,  with 

heads  unveiled,  bearing  in  their  hands  bas- 
kets of  precious  stones     ,        .        •  .129 


THE  FISHERMAN  AND  THE 

GENIE 


There  was  once  an  old  fisherman  who  lived  in 
great  poverty  with  a  wife  and  three  children. 
But  though  poorer  than  others  he  ever  toiled  in 
humble  submission  to  the  decrees  of  Providence, 
and  so,  at  the  same  hour  each  day,  he  would 
cast  his  net  four  times  into  the  sea,  and  what- 
ever it  brought  up  to  him  therewith  he  rested 
content. 

One  day,  having  cast  for  the  first  time,  he 
found  his  net  so  heavy  that  he  could  scarcely 
draw  it  in  ;  yet  when  at  last  he  got  it  to  shore 
all  that  it  contained  was  the  carcase  of  an  ass. 

He  cast  a  second  time,  and  found  the  draught 
of  the  net  even  heavier  than  before.  But  again 
he  was  doomed  to  disappointment,  for  this  time 
it  contained  nothing  but  a  large  earthenware 
jar  full  of  mud  and  sand.  His  third  attempt 
brought  him  only  a  heap  of  broken  old  bottles 


THE  FISHERMAN 

and  potsherds :  fortune  seemed  to  be  against 
him.  Then,  committing  his  hope  to  Providence, 
he  cast  for  the  fourth  and  last  time ;  and  once 
more  the  weight  of  the  net  was  so  great  that  he 
was  unable  to  haul  it.  When  at  last  he  got  it 
to  land,  he  found  that  it  contained  a  brazen 
vessel,  its  mouth  closed  with  a  leaden  stopper, 
bearing  upon  it  the  seal  of  King  Solomon. 

The  sight  cheered  him.  "  This,"  thought  he, 
"  I  can  sell  in  the  market,  where  I  may  get  for 
it  enough  to  buy  a  measure  of  corn  ;  and,  if  one 
is  to  judge  by  weight,  what  lies  within  may 
prove  yet  more  valuable." 

Thus  reckoning,  he  prised  out  the  stopper  with 
his  knife,  and  turning  the  vessel  upside  down 
looked  for  the  contents  to  follow.  Great  was 
his  astonishment  when  nothing  but  smoke  came 
out  of  it.  The  smoke  rose  in  a  thick  black 
column  and  spread  like  a  mist  between  earth 
and  sky,  till  presently,  drawing  together,  it  took 
form ;  and  there  in  its  midst  stood  a  mighty 
Genie,  whose  brows  touched  heaven  while  his 
feet  rested  upon  ground.  His  head  was  like  a 
dome,  his  hands  were  like  flails,  and  his  legs 
like  pine  trees  ;  his  mouth  was  black  as  a  cavern, 


AND  THE  GENIE 

his  nostrils  were  like  trumpets,  his  eyes  blazed 
like  torches,  and  his  wings  whirled  round  and 
over  him  like  the  simoom  of  the  desert. 

At  so  fearful  a  sight  all  the  fisherman's  courage 
oozed  out  of  him ;  but  the  Genie,  perceiving 
him,  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  "  O,  Solomon, 
Prophet  of  God,  slay  me  not,  for  never  again 
will  I  withstand  thee  in  word  or  deed  !  " 

"Alas!"  said  the  fisherman,  "I  am  no 
prophet ;  and  as  for  Solomon,  he  has  been  dead 
for  nearly  two  thousand  years.  I  am  but  a  poor 
fisherman  whom  chance  has  knocked  by  accident 
against  thy  door." 

"  In  that  case,"  answered  the  Genie,  "  know 
that  presently  thou  wilt  have  to  die." 

"  Heaven  forbid  !  "  cried  the  fisherman  ;  "  or, 
at  least,  tell  me  why !  Surely  it  might  seem  that 
I  had  done  thee  some  service  in  releasing  thee." 

"  Hear  first  my  story,"  said  the  Genie,  "  then 
shalt  thou  understand." 

"  Well,  if  I  must!  "  said  the  fisherman,  resign- 
ing himself  to  the  inevitable ;  "  but  make  it 
short,  for  truly  I  have  small  stomach  left  in  me 
now  for  the  hearing  of  tales." 

"  Know,  then,"  said  the  Genie,  "  that  I  am 

3 


THE  FISHERMAN 

one  of  those  spirits  which  resisted  the  power 
and  dominion  of  Solomon ;  and  when,  having 
brought  into  submission  all  the  rest  of  my 
race,  he  could  not  make  me  yield  to  him  either 
reverence  or  service,  he  caused  me  to  be 
shut  up  in  this  bottle,  and  sealing  it  with 
his  own  seal  cast  it  down  into  the  depths  of 
the  sea. 

"  Now  when  I  had  lain  there  prisoner  for  a 
hundred  years,  I  swore  in  my  heart  that  I  would 
give  to  the  man  that  should  release  me  all  the 
treasures  attainable  in  heaven  or  earth.  But 
when  none  came  to  earn  so  great  a  reward  in  all 
the  hundred  years  that  followed,  then  I  swore 
that  I  would  give  to  my  liberator  earthly  riches 
only ;  and  when  this  gift  also  had  lain  despised 
for  yet  another  hundred  years,  then  would  I 
promise  no  more  than  the  fulfilment  of  three 
wishes.  But  thereafter  finding  that  all  promises 
and  vows  were  vain,  my  heart  became  consumed 
with  rage,  and  I  swore  by  Allah  that  I  would 
only  grant  to  the  fool  that  should  release  me  his 
own  choice  of  the  most  cruel  form  of  death  by 
which  he  should  die.  Now  therefore  accept  that 
mercy  which  I  still  offer  and  choose  thy  penalty!" 

4 


AND  THE  GENIE 

When  the  fisherman  heard  this  he  gave  him- 
self up  for  lost,  yet  he  did  not  the  less  continue 
by  prayer  and  supplication  to  entreat  the  Genie 
from  his  purpose.  But  when  he  found  that 
there  was  no  heart  left  in  him  to  be  moved, 
then  for  the  first  time  he  bestirred  his  wits,  and 
remembering  how  that  which  is  evil  contains  far 
less  wisdom  than  that  which  is  good,  and  so 
falls  ever  the  more  readily  into  the  trap  prepared 
for  it,  he  spoke  thus  :  "  O  Genie,  since  thou  art 
determined  on  my  death,  there  is  yet  a  certain 
thing  touching  thine  honour  that  I  would  first 
know.  So,  by  the  Ineffable  Name,  which  is  the 
seal  of  Solomon,  I  will  ask  thee  one  question, 
and  do  thou  swear  to  answer  it  truly." 

The  Genie  was  ready  enough  to  give  the  oath 
as  desired.  Then  said  the  fisherman,  "  How 
is  it  that  one  so  great  as  thou  art,  whose  feet 
o'er-step  the  hills  and  whose  head  out-tops  the 
heaven — how  can  such  an  one  enter  into  so 
small  a  vessel  to  dwell  in  it?  Truly,  though 
mine  eyes  tell  me  I  have  seen  it,  I  cannot  any 
longer  believe  so  great  a  marvel." 

"What?"  cried  the  Genie,  "dost  thou  not 
believe  what  I  have  already  told  thee  ?  " 

5 


THE  FISHERMAN 

"  Not  till  I  have  seen  it  done  can  I  believe 
it,"  said  the  fisherman. 

Thereupon,  without  more  waste  of  words, 
the  Genie,  drawing  his  limbs  together  and  fold- 
ing himself  once  more  in  a  thick  veil  of  smoke, 
descended  from  his  vast  altitude  into  the  narrow 
neck  of  the  brazen  vessel  till  not  one  shred  or 
film  of  him  remained  to  view.  Then  the  fisher- 
man with  a  quick  hand  replaced  the  leaden 
stopper,  and  laughing,  cried  to  the  Genie, 
"  Choose  now,  thou  in  thy  turn,  by  what  manner 
of  death  thou  wilt  die." 

The  Genie,  hearing  himself  thus  mocked,  made 
violent  efforts  to  escape ;  but  the  power  of  the 
seal  of  Solomon  held  him  fast,  and  the  fisher- 
man, ceasing  not  all  the  while  to  revile  him  for 
the  treachery  and  baseness  which  were  now  to 
receive  their  due  reward,  began  to  carry  the 
vessel  back  to  the  sea's  brink.  "  Now,"  said 
he,  "  thou  shalt  return  to  the  place  whence  I 
drew  thee !  And  here  on  the  shore  I  will  build 
myself  a  hut,  and  to  every  fisherman  that  comes 
near  I  will  say,  '  Look  that  you  fish  not  in  these 
waters,  for  herein  lies  bound  a  wicked  genie  that 
has  sworn  to  put  to  a  cruel  death  whoever  dares 
to  release  him.' " 

6 


AND  THE  GENIE 

"  Nay,  nay,"  cried  the  Genie,  "  I  did  not  mean 
what  I  said !  Ask  of  me  now,  and  I  will  give 
you  all  the  treasures  that  the  world  contains,  or 
that  your  heart  can  find  in  it  to  desire,  if  only 
you  will  set  me  free  !  " 

The  fisherman,  being  of  a  mild  spirit  and 
with  no  heart  for  revenge,  sat  down  to  consider 
what  he  should  do,  and  all  the  while  the  im- 
prisoned Genie  continued  to  appeal  to  him  for 
compassion  with  loud  promise  and  lamentation. 
So  at  last,  the  fisherman,  having  the  fear  of 
God  before  his  eyes,  after  he  had  extracted 
from  the  Genie  a  most  solemn  vow  to  leave 
him  unharmed,  drew  out  the  stopper  of  lead 
and  released  him. 

No  sooner  was  he  out  and  restored  to  his 
true  form  than  the  Genie,  turning  himself  about, 
lifted  his  foot  and  with  his  full  strength  smote 
the  brazen  vessel  far  out  to  sea ;  and  the  fisher- 
man, beholding  that  apt,  began  to  repent  him 
of  his  mercy  and  to  tremble  again  for  dear  life. 

But  the  Genie,  seeing  his  fear,  broke  into 
huge  laughter,  and  striding  on  ahead  of  him 
cried,  "  Come,  fisherman,  and  follow  me,  for 
now  I  will  lead  you  to  fortune !  " 

7 


THE  FISHERMAN 

Meekly  at  his  heels  went  the  old  fisherman, 
and  leaving  behind  them  the  habitations  of  men 
they  ascended  a  mountain  and  entered  upon  a 
desert  tract  guarded  by  four  hills,  in  the  centre 
of  which  lay  a  broad  lake.  Here  the  Genie 
stopped,  and  pointing  to  a  place  where  fish 
were  swimming  in  abundance  bade  the  fisher- 
man cast  in  his  net.  The  fisherman  did  as  he 
was  told,  and  when  he  drew  in  his  net  he  found 
that  it  contained  four  fish  each  of  a  different 
colour,  a  red,  a  white,  a  blue,  and  a  yellow : 
never  in  his  life  had  he  seen  the  like  of  them. 
The  Genie  bade  him  take  and  offer  them  to 
the  Sultan,  assuring  him  that  if  he  did  so  they 
should  bring  him  b(oth  fortune  and  honours. 
Then  he  struck  the  ground  with  his  foot,  and 
immediately  the  earth  opened  its  mouth  and 
swallowed  him  as  the  dry  desert  swallows  the 
rain. 

The  fisherman,  wondering  no  less  at  his  safe 
deliverance  than  at  the  marvel  of  these  occur- 
rences, made  his  way  in  haste  to  the  city;  and  there 
presenting  himself  at  the  palace  he  begged  that 
the  four  fish  might  be  laid  at  the  Sultan's  feet,  as  a 
humble  offering  from  the  poorest  of  his  subjects. 

8 


AND  THE  GENIE 

No  sooner  had  the  monarch  seen  them,  so 
strange  of  form  and  so  brilliant  and  diverse 
in  hue,  than  his  longing  to  taste  of  them 
became  strongly  awakened ;  so,  by  the  hand  of 
his  Vizier,  he  sent  them  to  the  cook  to  be 
prepared  forthwith  for  the  royal  table.  As  for 
the  poor  fisherman,  he  received  no  fewer  than 
four  hundred  pieces  of  gold  from  the  Sultan's 
bounty,  and  returned  to  his  family  rejoicing  in 
an  affluence  which  surpassed  his  utmost  expec- 
tations. 

The  cook  meanwhile,  proud  of  an  opportunity 
to  exhibit  her  culinary  skill  on  dainties  so  rare, 
scaled  and  cleaned  the  fish  and  laid  them  in  a 
frying-pan  over  the  fire.  But  scarcely  had  she 
done  so  when  the  wall  of  the  kitchen  divided, 
and  there  issued  forth  from  it  a  damsel  of 
moon-like  beauty  richly  apparelled,  holding  a  rod 
of  myrtle  in  her  hand.  With  this  she  struck 
the  fish  that  lay  in  the  frying-pan,  and  cried — 

"O  fish  of  my  pond, 
Are  ye  true  to  your  bond  ?  " 

And  immediately  the  four  fishes  lifted  their 
heads  from  the  frying  fat  and  answered — 

9 


THE  FISHERMAN 


"  Even  so,  the  bond  holds  yet ; 
Paid  by  thee,  we  pay  the  debt. 
With  give  and  take  is  the  reckoning  met." 

Thereupon  the  damsel  upset  the  pan  into  the  fire 
and  retired  through  the  wall  in  the  same  way 
that  she  had  come,  leaving  the  four  fish  all 
charred  to  a  cinder. 

The  cook,  beholding  her  labour  thus  brought 
to  naught,  began  to  weep  and  bewail  herself, 
expecting  no  less  than  instant  dismissal,  and  was 
still  loud  in  her  lamentations  when  the  Vizier 
arrived  to  see  if  the  fish  were  ready. 

On  hearing  her  account  of  what  had  occurred, 
the  Vizier  was  greatly  astonished,  but  feared  to 
bring  so  strange  a  report  to  the  Sultan's  ears 
while  the  cravings  of  the  royal  appetite  were 
still  unsatisfied  ;  so  recalling  the  fisherman  by 
a  swift  messenger,  he  bade  him  procure  in  all 
haste  four  more  fish  of  the  same  kind,  promising 
to  reward  him  according  to  the  speed  with  which 
he  accomplished  the  task.  So  spurred,  and  by  the 
additional  favour  of  fortune,  the  fisherman  ful- 
filled his  mission  in  an  astonishingly  short  space 
of  time ;  but  no  sooner  was  the  second  lot  of 
fish  placed  upon  the  fire  in  the  Vizier's  presence 

10 


AND  THE  GENIE 

than  once  again  the  wall  opened,  and  the  damsel, 
appearing  as  before,  struck  the  frying-pan  with 
her  rod,  and  cried — 

"  O  fish  of  my  pond, 
Are  ye  true  to  your  bond  ?  " 

And  immediately  the  fish  stood  up  on  their  tails 
in  the  frying  fat  and  replied — 

"  Even  so,  the  bond  holds  yet ; 
Paid  by  thee,  we  pay  the  debt. 
With  give  and  take  is  the  reckoning  met." 

Whereupon  she  upset  the  pan  into  the  fire  and 
departed  as  she  had  come. 

The  Vizier,  perceiving  that  so  strange  an  event 
might  no  longer  be  kept  from  the  royal  know- 
ledge, went  and  informed  the  Sultan  of  all  that 
had  occurred  ;  and  the  monarch,  as  soon  as  he 
had  heard  the  tale,  now  rendered  more  eager  for 
the  satisfaction  of  his  eyes  than  he  had  pre- 
viously been  for  the  indulgence  of  his  appetite, 
sent  for  the  fisherman,  and  promised  him  yet 
another  four  hundred  pieces  of  gold  if  he  could 
within  a  given  time  procure  four  more  fishes 
similar  to  those  he  had  already  brought  on  the 
previous  occasions. 

ii 


THE  FISHERMAN 

If  the  fisherman  had  been  prompt  at  the 
Vizier's  bidding,  he  made  even  greater  speed  to 
fulfil  the  royal  command,  and  before  the  day  was 
over — this  time  in  the  presence  of  the  Sultan 
himself — four  fish,  of  four  diverse  colours  like 
to  the  first,  were  cleaned  and  laid  into  the  pan 
ready  for  frying.  But  scarcely  had  they  touched 
the  fat  when  the  wall  opened  in  a  clap  like 
thunder,  and  there  came  forth  with  a  face  of 
rage  a  monstrous  negro  the  size  of  a  bull,  hold- 
ing in  his  hand  the  rod  of  myrtle.  With  this 
he  struck  the  frying-pan,  and  cried  in  a  terrible 
voice — 

"  O  fish  from  the  pond, 
Are  ye  true  to  your  bond  ?  " 

And  when  the  fish  had  returned  the  same 
answer  that  the  others  had  made  before  them, 
without  more  ado  the  negro  overturned  the  pan 
upon  the  fire  and  departed  as  he  had  come. 

When  the  Sultan's  eyes  had  seen  that  marvel, 
he  said  to  his  Vizier,  "  Here  is  mystery  set 
before  us !  Surely  these  fish  that  talk  have  a 
past  and  a  history.  Never  shall  I  rest  satisfied 
until  I  have  learned  it."    So  causing  the  fisher- 

12 


AND  THE  GENIE 

man  to  be  brought  before  him,  he  inquired 
whence  the  fish  came.  The  fisherman  answered, 
"  From  a  lake  between  four  hills  upon  the 
mountain  overlooking  the  city."  The  Sultan 
inquired  how  many  days'  journey  it  might  be, 
and  the  fisherman  replied  that  it  was  but  a 
matter  of  a  few  hours  going  and  returning. 
Then  to  the  Sultan  and  his  court  it  seemed  that 
the  old  man  was  mocking  them,  for  none  had 
heard  tell  of  any  lake  lying  among  the  hills  so 
near  to  that  city ;  and  the  fisherman,  seeing  his 
word  doubted,  began  to  fear  that  the  Genie  was 
playing  him  a  trick ;  for  if  the  lake  were  now 
suddenly  to  vanish  away,  he  might  find  his 
fortunes  more  undone  at  the  end  than  at  the 
beginning. 

Yet  the  Sultan,  though  his  Vizier  and  all  his 
court  sought  to  dissuade  him,  was  firmly  resolved 
on  putting  the  matter  to  the  proof;  so  he  gave 
orders  that  an  escort  and  camping  tents  should 
be  immediately  got  ready,  and,  with  the  fisher- 
man to  guide,  set  forth  to  find  the  place  that  was 
told  of. 

And,  sure  enough,  when  they  had  ascended 
the  mountain  which  all  knew,  they  came  upon  a 

13 


THE  FISHERMAN 

desert  tract  on  which  no  man  had  previously 
set  eyes ;  and  there  in  its  midst  lay  the  lake 
filled  with  four  kinds  of  fish,  and  beyond  it 
stretched  a  vast  and  unknown  country. 

At  this  sight,  so  mysterious  and  unaccount- 
able, of  a  strange  region  lying  unbeknownst  at 
the  gates  of  his  own  capital,  the  monarch  was 
seized  with  an  overwhelming  desire  to  press 
forward  in  solitary  adventure  to  the  discovery 
of  its  secret.  To  the  cautious  counsels  of  his 
Vizier  he  turned  a  deaf  ear ;  but  since  it  would 
not  be  safe  for  his  subjects  to  know  of  his 
departure  on  an  errand  so  perilous,  it  was  given 
out  that  he  had  been  stricken  by  sudden  sick- 
ness. The  door  of  the  royal  tent  was  closed, 
and  at  the  dead  of  night  the  Sultan,  admitting 
none  but  the  Vizier  into  his  confidence,  set  out 
secretly  on  his  adventure. 

Journeying  by  night  and  resting  by  day,  he 
arrived  on  the  third  morning  within  sight  of  a 
palace  of  shining  marble  which,  with  its  crowd 
of  domes  and  minarets,  stood  solitary  among  the 
hills.  No  sign  of  life  was  about  it,  and  when 
he  drew  near  and  knocked  at  the  gates  none 
came  to  answer  him.    Then,  finding  the  doors 

14 


AND  THE  GENIE 

unfastened,  he  took  courage  and  entered  ;  and 
advancing  through  chambers  where  gold  lay  as 
dust,  and  by  fountains  wherein  pearls  lay  poured 
out  like  water,  he  found  only  solitude  to  greet 
him. 

Wandering  without  aim  among  innumerable 
treasures  unguarded  and  left  to  waste,  the  Sultan 
grew  weary,  and  sat  down  in  an  embrasure  to 
rest.  Then  it  seemed  to  him  that  not  far  off  he 
could  hear  a  sorrowful  voice  chant  verses  of 
lamentation.  Following  the  sounds  with  wonder 
he  came  to  a  curtained  doorway,  and  passing 
through  found  himself  in  the  presence  of  a  fair 
youth  richly  dressed,  seated  upon  a  couch  and 
bearing  upon  his  countenance  tokens  of  extreme 
grief  and  despondency.  To  the  Sultan's  proffered 
greeting  the  youth  returned  salutation,  but  did 
not  stir  from  his  seat.  "  Pardon  me,"  he  said, 
"  for  not  rising ;  but  my  miserable  condition 
makes  it  impossible."  Having  said  this  he 
again  broke  into  doleful  lamentation ;  and  when 
the  Sultan  inquired  as  to  the  cause  of  so  many 
tears,  "  See  for  yourself,"  he  cried,  "  what  I  am 
now  made  into !  "  And  lifting  the  skirt  of  his 
robe  he  revealed  himself  all  stone  from  his  waist 

i5 


THE  FISHERMAN 

to  the  soles  of  his  feet,  while  from  the  waist 
upwards  he  was  as  other  men.  Then  as  he 
observed  upon  his  visitor's  countenance  the 
expression  of  a  lively  curiosity  and  astonish- 
ment, "  Doubtless,"  he  went  on,  "  as  you  now 
know  the  secret  of  my  miserable  condition  you 
will  wish  also  to  hear  my  story."  And  he  related 
it  as  follows  : — 


16 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  KING 
OF  THE  EBONY  ISLES 

"  My  father  was  king  of  the  city  which  once 
stood  about  this  palace.  He  was  lord  also  of  the 
Ebony  Isles  that  are  now  the  four  hills  which 
you  passed  on  your  way  hither.  When  I  suc- 
ceeded to  the  throne  upon  his  death,  I  took  to 
wife  my  own  cousin,  the  daughter  of  my  uncle, 
with  whom  I  lived  for  five  years  in  the  utmost 
confidence  and  felicity,  continually  entertained 
by  the  charm  of  her  conversation  and  the  beauty 
of  her  person,  and  happy  in  the  persuasion  that 
she  found  in  me  an  equal  satisfaction. 

"  One  day,  however,  it  chanced,  in  the  hour 
before  dinner  when  the  queen  was  gone  to  bathe 
and  adorn  herself,  that  I  lay  upon  a  couch  beside 
which  two  female  slaves  sat  fanning  me ;  and 
they,  supposing  me  to  be  asleep,  began  to  talk 
concerning  me  and  their  mistress.    '  Ah  ! '  said 

17  2 


THE   STORY  OF  THE  KING 

one,  *  how  little  our  lord  knows  where  our 
mistress  goes  to  amuse  herself  every  night  while 
he  lies  dreaming ! '  '  How  should  he  know  ? ' 
returned  the  other,  '  seeing  that  the  cup  of  wine 
which  she  gives  him  each  night  contains  a 
sleeping-draught,  that  causes  him  to  sleep  sound 
however  long  she  is  absent.  Then  at  daybreak 
when  she  returns  she  burns  perfumes  under  his 
nostrils,  and  he  waking  and  finding  her  there 
guesses  nothing.  Pity  it  is  that  he  cannot  know 
of  her  treacherous  ways,  for  surely  it  is  a  shame 
that  a  king's  wife  should  go  abroad  and  mix 
with  base  people.' 

"  Now  when  I  heard  this  the  light  of  day  grew 
dark  before  my  eyes  ;  but  I  lay  on  and  made  no 
sign,  awaiting  my  wife's  return.  And  she  com- 
ing in  presently,  we  sat  down  and  ate  and  drank 
together  according  to  custom  ;  and  afterwards, 
when  I  had  retired  and  lain  down,  she  brought 
me  with  her  own  hands  the  cup  of  spiced  wine, 
inviting  me  to  drink.  Then  I,  averting  myself, 
raised  it  to  my  lips,  but  instead  of  drinking, 
poured  it  by  stealth  into  my  bosom,  and  imme- 
diately sank  down  as  though  overcome  by  its 
potency,   feigning   slumber.     Straightway  the 

18 


OF  THE   EBONY  ISLES 

queen  rose  up  from  my  side,  and  having  clothed 
herself  in  gorgeous  apparel  and  anointed  herself 
with  perfumes,  she  made  her  way  secretly  from 
the  palace,  and  I  with  equal  secrecy  followed  her. 

"  Soon,  passing  by  way  of  the  narrower  streets, 
we  arrived  before  the  city  gates ;  and  immedi- 
ately at  a  word  from  her  the  chains  fell  and  the 
gates  opened  of  their  own  accord,  closing  again 
behind  us  as  soon  as  we  had  passed.  At  last 
she  came  to  a  ruined  hut,  and  there  entering  I 
saw  her  presently  with  her  veil  laid  aside,  seated 
in  familiar  converse  with  a  monstrous  negro,  the 
meanest  and  most  vile  of  slaves,  offering  to  him 
in  abject  servility  dairities  which  she  had  carried 
from  the  royal  table,  and  bestowing  upon  him 
every  imaginable  token  of  affection  and  regard. 

"At  this  discovery  I  fell  into  a  blind  rage,  and 
drawing  my  sword  I  rushed  in  and  struck  the 
slave  from  behind  a  blow  upon  the  neck  that 
should  have  killed  him.  Then  believing  that  I 
had  verily  slain  him,  and  before  the  queen  found 
eyes  to  realize  what  had  befallen,  I  departed  under 
cover  of  night  as  quickly  as  I  had  come,  and 
returned  to  the  palace  and  my  own  chamber. 

"On  awaking  the  next  morning  I  found  the 

19 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  KING 

queen  lying  beside  me  as  though  nothing  had 
happened,  and  at  first  I  was  ready  to  believe  it 
had  all  been  an  evil  dream ;  but  presently  I 
perceived  her  eyes  red  with  weeping,  her  hair 
dishevelled,  and  her  face  torn  by  the  passion  of 
a  grief  which  she  strove  to  conceal.  Having 
thus  every  reason  to  believe  that  my  act  of 
vengeance  had  not  fallen  short  of  its  purpose,  I 
held  my  tongue  and  made  no  sign. 

"  But  the  same  day  at  noon,  while  I  sat  in 
council,  the  queen  appeared  before  me  clad  in 
deep  mourning,  and  with  many  tears  informed 
me  how  she  had  received  sudden  news  of  the 
death  of  her  father  and  mother  and  two  brothers, 
giving  full  and  harrowing  details  of  each  event. 
Without  any  show  of  incredulity  I  heard  her 
tale ;  and  when  she  besought  my  permission  to 
go  into  retirement  and  mourn  in  a  manner 
befitting  so  great  a  calamity,  I  bade  her  do  as 
she  desired. 

"  So  for  a  whole  year  she  continued  to  mourn 
in  a  privacy  which  I  left  undisturbed  ;  and  during 
that  time  she  caused  to  be  built  a  mausoleum 
or  Temple  of  Lamentation — the  same  whose 
dome  you  see  yonder — into  which  she  withdrew 

20 


OF  THE  EBONY  ISLES 

herself  from  all  society ;  while  I,  believing  the 
cause  of  my  anger  removed  and  willing  to 
humour  the  grief  which  my  act  had  caused  her, 
waited  patiently  for  her  return  to  a  sane  and 
reasonable  state  of  mind. 

"  But,  as  I  learned  too  late,  matters  had  not  so 
fallen  :  for  though  in  truth  the  negro  was  griev- 
ously wounded,  being  cut  through  the  gullet 
and  speechless,  it  was  not  the  will  of  Heaven 
that  he  should  die ;  and  the  queen  having  by 
her  enchantments  kept  him  in  a  sort  of  life,  no 
sooner  was  the  mausoleum  finished  than  she 
caused  him  to  be  secretly  conveyed  thither,  and 
there  night  and  day  tended  him,  awaiting  his 
full  recovery. 

"  At  length,  when  two  years  were  over  and  her 
mourning  in  no  wise  abated,  my  curiosity  became 
aroused  ;  so  going  one  day  to  the  Temple  of 
Lamentation  I  entered  unannounced,  and  placing 
myself  where  I  might  see  and  not  be  seen,  there 
I  discovered  her  in  an  abandonment  of  fond 
weeping  over  her  miserable  treasure  whose  very 
life  was  a  dishonour  to  us  both.  But  no  sooner 
in  my  just  resentment  had  I  started  to  upbraid 
her,  than  she — as  now  for  the  first  time  realizing 

21 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  KING 

the  cause  of  her  companion's  misfortune — began 
to  heap  upon  me  terms  of  the  most  violent  and 
shameful  abuse ;  and  when,  carried  beyond 
myself,  I  threatened  her  with  my  sword,  she 
stood  up  before  me,  and  having  first  uttered 
words  of  unknown  meaning  she  cried, — 

*  Be  thou  changed  in  a  moment's  span ; 
Half  be  marble,  and  half  be  man!' 

And  at  the  word  I  became  even  as  you  see 
me  now — dead  to  the  waist,  and  above  living 
yet  bound.  Yet  even  so  her  vengeance  was 
not  satisfied.  Having  reduced  me  to  this  state 
she  went  on  to  vent  her  malice  upon  the  city 
and  islands  over  which  I  ruled,  and  the  unfor- 
tunate people  who  were  my  subjects.  Thus  by 
her  wicked  machinations  the  city  became  a  lake, 
and  the  islands  about  it  the  four  hills  which 
you  have  seen ;  as  for  the  inhabitants,  who 
were  of  four  classes  and  creeds,  Moslems, 
Christians,  Jews,  and  Persians,  she  turned  them 
into  fish  of  four  different  colours :  the  white 
are  the  Moslems,  the  red  are  Persian  fire- 
worshippers,  the  yellow  are  Jews,  and  the  blue 
Christians.    And  now  having  done  all  this  she 

22 


OF  THE  EBONY  ISLES 

fails  not  every  day  to  inflict  upon  me  a  hundred 
lashes  with  a  whip  which  draws  blood  at  every 
stroke :  and  when  these  are  accomplished  she 
covers  my  torn  flesh  with  hair-cloth  and  lays 
over  it  these  rich  robes  in  mockery.  Of  a 
surety  it  is  the  will  of  Heaven  that  I  should  be 
the  most  miserable  and  despised  of  mortals ! " 

Thus  the  youth  finished  his  story,  nor  when 
he  had  ended  could  he  refrain  from  tears.  The 
Sultan  also  was  greatly  moved  when  he  heard 
it,  and  his  heart  became  full  of  a  desire  to 
avenge  such  injuries  upon  the  doer  of  them. 
"  Tell  me,"  he  said,  "  where  is  now  this  monster 
of  iniquity  ?  "  "  Sir,"  answered  the  youth,  "  I 
doubt  not  she  is  yonder  in  the  mausoleum 
with  her  companion,  for  thither  she  goes  daily 
so  soon  as  she  has  measured  out  to  me  my 
full  meed  of  chastisement :  and  as  for  this  day 
my  portion  has  been  served  to  me,  I  am  quit 
of  her  till  to-morrow  brings  the  hour  of  fresh 
scourgings." 

Now  when  this  was  told  him  the  Sultan  saw 
his  way  plain.  "  Be  of  good  cheer,"  he  said  to 
the  youth,  "and  endure  with  a  quiet  spirit  yet 
once  more  the  affliction  she  causes  thee ;  for 

23 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  KING 

at  the  price  of  that  single  scourging  I  trust, 
by  the  will  of  Heaven,  to  set  thee  free." 

So  on  the  morrow  the  Sultan  lay  in  close 
hiding  until  sounds  reached  him  which  told 
that  the  whippings  had  begun ;  then  he  arose 
and  went  in  haste  to  the  mausoleum,  where 
amid  rich  hangings  and  perfumes  and  the 
illumination  of  a  thousand  candles,  he  found 
the  black  slave  stretched  mute  upon  a  bed 
awaiting  in  great  feebleness  the  recovered  use 
of  his  sawn  gullet.  Quickly,  with  a  single 
sword-stroke,  the  avenger  took  from  him  that 
poor  remnant  of  life  which  enchantment  alone 
had  made  possible :  then  having  thrown  the 
body  into  a  well  in  the  courtyard  below,  he 
lay  down  in  the  dead  man's  place,  drawing 
the  coverlet  well  over  him.  Soon  after,  fresh 
from  her  accustomed  task  of  cruelty,  the 
enchantress  entered,  and  falling  upon  her  knees 
beside  the  bed  she  cried,  "  Has  my  lord  still 
no  voice  wherewith  to  speak  to  his  servant? 
Surely,  for  lack  of  that  sound,  hearing  lies 
withered  within  me !  "  Then  the  Sultan,  taking 
to  himself  the  thick  speech  of  a  negro,  said, 
"  There  is  no  strength  or  power  but  in  God 
alone ! " 

24 


OF  THE  EBONY  ISLES 

On  hearing  those  words,  believing  that  her 
companion's  speech  was  at  last  restored  to  him, 
the  queen  uttered  a  cry  of  joy !  But  scarcely 
had  she  begun  to  lavish  upon  him  the  tokens 
of  her  affection  when  the  pretended  negro  broke 
out  against  her  in  violent  abuse.  "What!"  he 
cried,  "  dost  thou  expect  favour  at  my  hands, 
when  it  is  because  of  thee  that  for  two  years  I 
have  lain  dumb  and  prostrate  ?  How  darest 
thou  speak  to  me  or  look  for  any  recompense 
save  death  !  Nay !  "  he  went  on  in  answer  to 
her  astonished  protests,  "  have  not  the  cries  and 
tears  and  groans  of  thy  husband  kept  me  con- 
tinually from  rest :  and  has  not  Heaven  smitten 
me  for  no  other  reason  than  because  thou 
wouldst  not  cease  from  smiting  him  ?  So 
has  the  curse  which  thou  didst  seek  to  lay 
upon  him  fallen  doubly  upon  me." 

"Alas!"  cried  the  enchantress,  "  have  I  un- 
knowingly caused  thee  so  great  an  ill  ?  If  it 
be  so,  then  let  my  lord  give  command,  and 
whatever  be  his  desire  it  shall  be  satisfied." 

Then  said  the  Sultan,  "  Go  instantly  and 
release  thy  husband  from  spell  and  torment :  and 
when  it  is  done,  return  hither  with  all  speed." 

25 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  KING 

Thus  compelled,  in  great  fear  and  bewilder- 
ment and  sorely  against  her  will,  the  queen 
sped  to  the  chamber  in  the  palace  where  her 
husband  lay  spell-bound.  Taking  a  vessel  of 
water  she  pronounced  over  it  certain  words 
which  caused  it  instantly  to  boil  as  though  it 
had  been  set  on  a  fire:  then  throwing  the  water 
over  him,  she  cried — 

"Spell  be  loosed,  and  stone  grow  warm, 
Yield  back  flesh  to  the  human  form." 

And  immediately  on  the  word  his  nature  came 
to  him  again,  and  he  leaped  and  stood  upon 
his  feet.  But  the  queen's  hatred  towards 
him  was  by  no  means  abated.  "  Go  hence 
quickly,"  she  cried,  "since  a  better  will  than 
mine  releases  thee!  But  if  thou  tarry 
or  if  thou  return,  thou  shalt  surely  die ! " 
Thankful  for  his  deliverance  the  youth  stayed 
not  to  question,  but  departing  went  and  hid 
himself  without,  while  the  queen  returned  in 
haste  to  the  mausoleum  where  her  supposed 
lover  awaited  her.  There,  eager  for  restoration 
to  favour,  she  informed  him  of  what  she  had 
done,  supposing  that  to  be  all. 

26 


OF  THE  EBONY  ISLES 

"  Nay,"  said  the  other,  still  speaking  with  the 
thick  voice  of  a  negro  ;  "  though  thou  hast  lopped 
the  branch  of  the  evil  thou  hast  not  destroyed 
the  root.  For  every  night  I  hear  a  jumping  of 
fishes  in  the  lake  that  is  between  the  four  hills, 
and  the  sound  of  their  curses  on  thee  and  me 
comes  to  disturb  my  rest.  Go  instantly  and 
restore  all  things  to  their  former  state,  then 
come  back  and  give  me  thy  hand  and  I  shall 
rise  up  a  sound  man  once  more." 

Rejoicing  in  that  promise  and  the  expecta- 
tions it  held  out  to  her  of  future  happiness,  the 
queen  went  with  all  speed  to  the  border  of  the 
lake.  There  taking  a  little  water  into  her  hand, 
and  uttering  strange  words  over  it,  she  sprinkled 
it  this  way  and  that  upon  the  surface  of  the 
lake  and  the  roots  of  the  four  hills,  and  imme- 
diately where  had  been  the  lake  a  city  appeared, 
and  instead  of  fishes  inhabitants,  and  in  place 
of  the  four  hills  four  islands.  As  for  the  palace 
it  stood  no  longer  removed  far  away  into  the 
desert  but  upon  a  hill  overlooking  the  city. 

Great  was  the  astonishment  of  the  Vizier  and 
the  Sultan's  escort  which  had  lain  encamped  beside 
the  lake  to  find  themselves  suddenly  transported 

27 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  KING 

to  the  heart  of  a  populous  city,  with  streets  and 
walls  and  the  hum  of  reawakened  life  around 
them ;  but  a  greater  and  more  terrible  shock 
than  this  awaited  the  queen  upon  her  return 
to  the  mausoleum  to  enjoy  the  reward  of  her 
labours.  "  Now,"  she  cried,  "  let  my  lord  arise, 
since  all  that  he  willed  is  accomplished ! " 

"  Give  me  thy  hand !  "  said  the  Sultan,  still 
in  a  voice  of  disguise;  "come  nearer  that  I 
may  lean  on  thee !  "  And  as  she  approached  he 
drew  forth  his  sword  which  had  lain  concealed 
beside  him  in  the  bed,  and  with  a  single  blow 
cleft  her  wicked  body  in  twain. 

Then  he  rose  and  went  quickly  to  where  in 
hiding  lay  the  young  king  her  husband,  who 
learned  with  joy  of  the  death  of  his  cruel  enemy. 
He  thanked  the  Sultan  with  tears  of  gratitude 
for  his  deliverance,  and  invoked  the  blessings 
of  Heaven  upon  him  and  his  kingdom.  "  On 
yours  too,"  said  the  Sultan,  "  let  peace  and 
prosperity  now  reign  !  And  since  your  city  is 
so  near  to  mine,  come  with  me  and  be  my  guest 
that  we  may  rejoice  together  in  the  bonds  of 
friendship." 

"Nay,"   answered    the  young  king,  "that 

28 


OF  THE  EBONY  ISLES 

would  I  do  willingly,  but  your  country  lies  many 
a  day's  journey  from  my  own.  I  fear  the  breaking 
of  the  spell  which  held  me  and  my  subjects 
has  brought  you  further  than  you  wished." 

It  was  in  fact  true  that  the  Ebony  Isles  had 
now  returned  to  the  place  from  which  they  had 
originally  come.  The  Sultan  put  a  smiling  face 
upon  the  matter :  "  I  can  well  put  up  with  the 
tedium  of  my  journey,"  said  he,  "  if  only  you 
will  be  my  companion.  Nay,  let  me  speak 
frankly  to  one  whose  demeanour  in  affliction 
has  won  my  heart ;  I  am  childless  and  have 
no  heir.  Come  with  me  and  be  my  son,  and 
when  I  am  dead  unite  our  two  kingdoms  under 
a  single  ruler.  The  young  king,  who  had 
conceived  for  his  deliverer  an  equal  affection, 
could  not  withstand  so  noble  and  generous  an 
offer :  and  so  with  a  free  exchange  of  hearts  on 
both  sides  the  matter  was  arranged. 

After  a  journey  of  some  months  the  Sultan 
arrived  again  at  his  own  capital,  where  he  was 
welcomed  with  great  rejoicings  by  the  people, 
who  had  long  mourned  over  his  strange  and 
unexplained  absence. 

As  for  the  old  fisherman  who  had  been  the 

29 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  KING 

immediate  cause  of  the  young  king's  deliverance 
the  Sultan  loaded  him  with  honours  and  gave 
his  daughters  in  marriage  to  sons  of  the  blood 
royal,  so  that  they  all  continued  in  perfect 
happiness  and  contentment  to  the  end  of  their 
days. 


3° 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE  FORTY 
THIEVES 

In  a  town  in  Persia  lived  two  brothers  named 
Cassim  and  Ali  Baba,  between  whom  their  father 
at  his  death  had  left  what  little  property  he 
possessed  equally  divided.  Cassim,  however, 
having  married  the  heiress  of  a  rich  merchant, 
became  soon  after  his  marriage  the  owner  of  a 
fine  shop,  together  with  several  pieces  of  land, 
and  was  in  consequence,  through  no  effort  of  his 
own,  the  most  considerable  merchant  in  the  town. 
Ali  Baba,  on  the  other  hand,  was  married  to  one 
as  poor  as  himself,  and  having  no  other  means 
of  gaining  a  livelihood  he  used  to  go  every  day 
into  the  forest  to  cut  wood,  and  lading  therewith 
the  three  asses  which  were  his  sole  stock-in-trade, 
would  then  hawk  it  about  the  streets  for  sale. 

One  day  while  he  was  at  work  within  the 
skirts  of  the  forest,  Ali  Baba  saw  advancing 

3i 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

towards  him  across  the  open  a  large  company  of 
horsemen,  and  fearing  from  their  appearance  that 
they  might  be  robbers,  he  left  his  asses  to  their 
own  devices  and  sought  safety  for  himself  in  the 
lower  branches  of  a  large  tree  which  grew  in  the 
close  overshadowing  of  a  precipitous  rock. 

Almost  immediately  it  became  evident  that 
this  very  rock  was  the  goal  toward  which  the 
troop  was  bound,  for  having  arrived  they 
alighted  instantly  from  their  horses,  and  took 
down  each  man  of  them  a  sack  which  seemed 
by  its  weight  and  form  to  be  filled  with  gold. 
There  could  no  longer  be  any  doubt  that  they 
were  robbers.  Ali  Baba  counted  forty  of 
them. 

Just  as  he  had  done  so,  the  one  nearest  to  him, 
who  seemed  to  be  their  chief,  advanced  toward 
the  rock,  and  in  a  low  but  distinct  voice  uttered 
the  two  words,  "  Open,  Sesame* !  "  Immediately 
the  rock  opened  like  a  door,  the  captain  and  his 
men  passed  in,  and  the  rock  closed  behind  them. 

For  a  long  while  Ali  Baba  waited,  not  daring 
to  descend  from  his  hiding-place  lest  they  should 
come  out  and  catch  him  in  the  act ;  but  at  last, 
when  the  waiting  had  grown  almost  unbearable, 

32 


FORTY  THIEVES 

his  patience  was  rewarded,  the  door  in  the  rock 
opened,  and  out  came  the  forty  men,  their  cap- 
tain leading  them.  When  the  last  of  them  was 
through,  "  Shut,  Sesame" !  "  said  the  captain,  and 
immediately  the  face  of  the  rock  closed  together 
as  before.  Then  they  all  mounted  their  horses 
and  rode  away. 

As  soon  as  he  felt  sure  that  they  were  not 
returning,  Ali  Baba  came  down  from  the  tree 
and  made  his  way  at  once  to  that  part  of  the 
rock  where  he  had  seen  the  captain  and  his  men 
enter.  And  there  at  the  word  "  Open,  Sesame" !  " 
a  door  suddenly  revealed  itself  and  opened. 

Ali  Baba  had  expected  to  find  a  dark  and 
gloomy  cavern.  Great  was  his  astonishment 
therefore  when  he  perceived  a  spacious  and 
vaulted  chamber  lighted  from  above  through  a 
fissure  in  the  rock ;  and  there  spread  out  before 
him  lay  treasures  in  profusion,  bales  of  mer- 
chandise, silks,  carpets,  brocades,  and  above  all 
gold  and  silver  lying  in  loose  heaps  or  in  sacks 
piled  one  upon  another.  He  did  not  take  long 
to  consider  what  he  should  do.  Disregarding  the 
silver  and  the  gold  that  lay  loose,  he  brought  to 
the  mouth  of  the  cave  as  many  sacks  of  gold  as 

33  3 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

he  thought  his  three  asses  might  carry ;  and 
having  loaded  them  on  and  covered  them  with 
wood  so  that  they  might  not  be  seen,  he  closed 
the  rock  by  the  utterance  of  the  magic  words 
which  he  had  learned,  and  departed  for  the 
town,  a  well-satisfied  man. 

When  he  got  home  he  drove  his  asses  into  a 
small  court,  and  shutting  the  gates  carefully  he 
took  off  the  wood  that  covered  the  bags  and 
carried  them  in  to  his  wife.  She,  discovering 
them  to  be  full  of  gold,  feared  that  her  husband 
had  stolen  them,  and  began  sorrowfully  to 
reproach  him ;  but  Ali  Baba  soon  put  her  mind 
at  rest  on  that  score,  and  having  poured  all  the 
gold  into  a  great  heap  upon  the  floor  he  sat 
down  at  her  side  to  consider  how  well  it 
looked. 

Soon  his  wife,  poor  careful  body,  must  needs 
begin  counting  it  over  piece  by  piece.  Ali  Baba 
let  her  go  on  for  awhile,  but  before  long  the 
sight  set  him  laughing.  "Wife,"  said  he,  "you 
will  never  make  an  end  of  it  that  way.  The 
best  thing  to  do  is  to  dig  a  hole  and  bury  it, 
then  we  shall  be  sure  that  it  is  not  slipping 
through  our  fingers."     "  That  will  do  well 

34 


FORTY  THIEVES 

enough,"  said  his  wife,  "  but  it  would  be  better 
first  to  have  the  measure  of  it.  So  while  you 
dig  the  hole  I  will  go  round  to  Cassim's  and 
borrow  a  measure  small  enough  to  give  us  an 
exact  reckoning."  "  Do  as  you  will,"  answered 
her  husband,  "  but  see  that  you  keep  the  thing 
secret." 

Off  went  Ali  Baba's  wife  to  her  brother-in- 
law's  house.  Cassim  was  from  home,  so  she 
begged  of  his  wife  the  loan  of  a  small  measure, 
naming  for  choice  the  smallest.  This  set  the 
sister-in-law  wondering.  Knowing  Ali  Baba's 
poverty  she  was  all  the  more  curious  to  find  out 
for  what  kind  of  grain  so  small  a  measure  could 
be  needed.  So  before  bringing  it  she  covered 
all  the  bottom  with  lard,  and  giving  it  to  Ali 
Baba's  wife  told  her  to  be  sure  and  be  quick  in 
returning  it.  The  other,  promising  to  restore  it 
punctually,  made  haste  to  get  home ;  and  there 
finding  the  hole  dug  for  its  reception  she  started 
to  measure  the  money  into  it.  First  she  set  the 
measure  upon  the  heap,  then  she  filled  it,  then 
she  carried  it  to  the  hole ;  and  so  she  continued 
till  the  last  measure  was  counted.  Then,  leav- 
ing Ali  Baba  to  finish  the  burying,  she  carried 

35 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

back  the  measure  with  all  haste  to  her  sister-in- 
law,  returning  thanks  for  the  loan. 

No  sooner  was  her  back  turned  than  Cassim's 
wife  looked  at  the  bottom  of  the  measure,  and 
there  to  her  astonishment  she  saw  sticking  to 
the  lard  a  gold  coin.  "  What  ?  "  she  cried,  her 
heart  filled  with  envy,  "  is  Ali  Baba  so  rich  that 
he  needs  a  measure  for  his  gold  ?  Where,  then, 
I  would  know,  has  the  miserable  wretch  obtained 
it?" 

She  waited  with  impatience  for  her  husband's 
return,  and  as  soon  as  he  came  in  she  began  to 
jeer  at  him.  "  You  think  yourself  rich,"  said 
she,  "  but  Ali  Baba  is  richer.  You  count  your 
gold  by  the  piece,  but  Ali  Baba  does  not  count, 
he  measures  it !  In  comparison  to  Ali  Baba  we 
are  but  grubs  and  groundlings  !  " 

Having  thus  riddled  him  to  the  top  of  her 
bent  in  order  to  provoke  his  curiosity,  she  told 
him  the  story  of  the  borrowed  measure,  of  her 
own  stratagem,  and  of  its  result. 

Cassim,  instead  of  being  pleased  at  Ali  Baba's 
sudden  prosperity,  grew  furiously  jealous  ;  not  a 
wink  could  he  sleep  all  night  for  thinking  of  it. 
The  next  morning  before  sunrise  he  went  to  his 

36 


FORTY  THIEVES 

brother's  house.  "  Ali  Baba,"  said  he,  "  what 
do  you  mean  by  pretending  to  be  poor  when  all 
the  time  you  are  scooping  up  gold  by  the  quart  ?" 
"  Brother,"  said  Ali  Baba,  "  explain  your  mean- 
ing." "  My  meaning  shall  be  plain  I  "  cried 
Cassim,  displaying  the  tell-tale  coin.  "  How 
many  more  pieces  have  you  like  this  that  my 
wife  found  sticking  to  the  bottom  of  the  measure 
yesterday  ?  " 

Ali  Baba,  perceiving  that  the  intervention  of 
wives  had  made  further  concealment  useless, 
told  his  brother  the  true  facts  of  the  case,  and 
offered  him,  as  an  inducement  for  keeping  the 
secret,  an  equal  share  of  the  treasure. 

"That  is  the  least  that  I  have  the  right  to 
expect,"  answered  Cassim  haughtily.  "  It  is 
further  necessary  that  you  should  tell  me  exactly 
where  the  treasure  lies,  that  I  may,  if  need  be, 
test  the  truth  of  your  story,  otherwise  I  shall 
find  it  my  duty  to  denounce  you  to  the 
authorities." 

Ali  Baba,  having  a  clear  conscience,  had 
little  fear  of  Cassim's  threats ;  but  out  of  pure 
good  nature  he  gave  him  all  the  information  he 
desired,  not  forgetting  to  instruct  him  in  the 

37 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

words  which  would  give  him  free  passage  into 
the  cave  and  out  again. 

Cassim,  who  had  thus  secured  all  he  had 
come  for,  lost  no  time  in  putting  his  project 
into  execution.  Intent  on  possessing  himself  of 
all  the  treasures  which  yet  remained,  he  set  off 
the  next  morning  before  daybreak,  taking  with 
him  ten  mules  laden  with  empty  crates.  Arrived 
before  the  cave,  he  recalled  the  words  which 
his  brother  had  taught  him ;  no  sooner  was 
"  Open,  Sesame* !  "  said  than  the  door  in  the  rock 
lay  wide  for  him  to  pass  through,  and  when  he 
had  entered  it  shut  again. 

If  the  simple  soul  of  Ali  Baba  had  found 
delight  in  the  riches  of  the  cavern,  greater  still 
was  the  exultation  of  a  greedy  nature  like 
Cassim's.  Intoxicated  with  the  wealth  that  lay 
before  his  eyes,  he  had  no  thought  but  to  gather 
together  with  all  speed  as  much  treasure  as  the  ten 
mules  could  carry  ;  and  so,  having  exhausted  him- 
self with  heavy  labour  and  avaricious  excitement, 
he  suddenly  found  on  returning  to  the  door 
that  he  had  forgotten  the  key  which  opened  it. 
Up  and  down,  and  in  and  out  through  the 
mazes   of  his  brain   he    chased  the  missing 

38 


FORTY  THIEVES 

word.  Barley,  and  maize,  and  rice,  he  thought 
of  them  all :  but  of  sesame'  never  once, 
because  his  mind  had  become  dark  to  the  re- 
vealing light  of  heaven.  And  so  the  door  stayed 
fast,  holding  him  prisoner  in  the  cave,  where 
to  his  fate,  undeserving  of  pity,  we  leave  him. 

Toward  noon  the  robbers  returned,  and  saw, 
standing  about  the  rock,  the  ten  mules  laden 
with  crates.  At  this  they  were  greatly  surprised, 
and  began  to  search  with  suspicion  amongst 
the  surrounding  crannies  and  undergrowth. 
Finding  no  one  there,  they  drew  their  swords 
and  advanced  cautiously  toward  the  cave,  where, 
upon  the  captain's  pronouncement  of  the  magic 
word,  the  door  immediately  fell  open.  Cassim, 
who  from  within  had  heard  the  trampling  of 
horses,  had  now  no  doubt  that  the  robbers  were 
arrived  and  that  his  hour  was  come.  Resolved 
however  to  make  one  last  effort  at  escape,  he 
stood  ready  by  the  door  ;  and  no  sooner  had  the 
opening  word  been  uttered  than  he  sprang  forth 
with  such  violence  that  he  threw  the  captain  to 
the  ground.  But  his  attempt  was  vain ;  before 
he  could  break  through  he  was  mercilessly  hacked 
down  by  the  swords  of  the  robber  band. 

39 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

With  their  fears  thus  verified,  the  robbers 
anxiously  entered  the  cave  to  view  the  traces  of 
its  late  visitant.  There  they  saw  piled  by  the  door 
the  treasure  which  Cassim  had  sought  to  carry 
away ;  but  while  restoring  this  to  its  place  they 
failed  altogether  to  detect  the  earlier  loss  which 
Ali  Baba  had  caused  them.  Reckoning,  how- 
ever, that  as  one  had  discovered  the  secret  of 
entry  others  also  might  know  of  it,  they  deter- 
mined to  leave  an  example  for  any  who  might 
venture  thither  on  a  similar  errand ;  and  having 
quartered  the  body  of  Cassim  they  disposed  it 
at  the  entrance  in  a  manner  most  calculated  to 
strike  horror  into  the  heart  of  the  beholder. 
Then,  closing  the  door  of  the  cave,  they  rode 
away  in  the  search  of  fresh  exploits  and  plunder. 

Meanwhile  Cassim's  wife  had  grown  very 
uneasy  at  her  husband's  prolonged  absence  ;  and 
at  nightfall,  unable  to  endure  further  suspense, 
she  ran  to  Ali  Baba,  and  telling  him  of  his 
brother's  secret  expedition,  entreated  him  to  go 
out  instantly  in  search  of  him. 

Ali  Baba  had  too  kind  a  heart  to  refuse  or 
delay  comfort  to  her  affliction.  Taking  with  him 
his  three  asses  he  set  out  immediately  for  the 

40 


FORTY  THIEVES 

forest,  and  as  the  road  was  familiar  to  him  he 
had  soon  found  his  way  to  the  door  of  the  cave. 
When  he  saw  there  the  traces  of  blood  he  became 
filled  with  misgiving,  but  no  sooner  had  he  entered 
than  his  worst  fears  were  realized.  Nevertheless 
brotherly  piety  gave  him  courage.  Gathering 
together  the  severed  remains  and  wrapping  them 
about  with  all  possible  decency,  he  laid  them 
upon  one  of  the  asses  ;  then  bethinking  him  that 
he  deserved  some  payment  for  his  pains,  he 
loaded  the  two  remaining  asses  with  sacks  of 
gold,  and  covering  them  with  wood  as  on  the 
first  occasion,  made  his  way  back  to  the  town 
while  it  was  yet  early.  Leaving  his  wife  to 
dispose  of  the  treasure  borne  by  the  two  asses,  he 
led  the  third  to  his  sister-in-law's  house,  and 
knocking  quietly  so  that  none  of  the  neighbours 
might  hear,  was  presently  admitted  by  Morgiana, 
a  female  slave  whose  intelligence  and  discretion 
had  long  been  known  to  him.  "  Morgiana," 
said  he,  "  there's  trouble  on  the  back  of  that  ass. 
Can  you  keep  a  secret  ?  "  And  Morgiana's  nod 
satisfied  him  better  than  any  oath.  "Well," 
said  he,  "  your  master's  body  lies  there  wait- 
ing to  be  pieced,  and  our  business  now  is  to  bury 

4i 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

him  honourably  as  though  he  had  died  a  natural 
death.  Go  and  tell  your  mistress  that  I  want  to 
speak  to  her." 

Morgiana  went  in  to  her  mistress,  and  return- 
ing presently  bade  Ali  Baba  enter.  Then, 
leaving  him  to  break  to  his  sister-in-law  the 
news  and  the  sad  circumstances  of  his  brother's 
death,  she,  with  her  plan  already  formed, 
hastened  forth  and  knocked  at  the  door  of  the 
nearest  apothecary.  As  soon  as  he  opened  to 
her  she  required  of  him  in  trembling  agitation 
certain  pillules  efficacious  against  grave  dis- 
orders, declaring  in  answer  to  his  questions  that 
her  master  had  been  taken  suddenly  ill.  With 
these  she  returned  home,  and  her  plan  of  con- 
cealment having  been  explained  and  agreed  upon 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  Ali  Baba,  she  went 
forth  the  next  morning  to  the  same  apothecary, 
and  with  tears  in  her  eyes  besought  him  to 
supply  her  in  haste  with  a  certain  drug  that  is 
given  to  sick  people  only  in  the  last  extremity. 
Meanwhile  the  rumour  of  Cassim's  sickness  had 
got  abroad  ;  Ali  Baba  and  his  wife  had  been  seen 
coming  and  going,  while  Morgiana  by  her  cease- 
less activity  had  made  the  two  days'  pretended 

42 


FORTY  THIEVES 


illness  seem  like  a  fortnight :  so  when  a  sound 
of  wailing  arose  within  the  house  all  the  neigh- 
bours concluded  without  further  question  that 
Cassim  had  died  a  natural  and  honourable 
death. 

But  Morgiana  had  now  a  still  more  difficult 
task  to  perform,  it  being  necessary  for  the  ob- 
sequies that  the  body  should  be  made  in  some 
way  presentable.  So  at  a  very  early  hour  the  next 
morning  she  went  to  the  shop  of  a  certain  merry 
old  cobbler,  Baba  Mustapha  by  name,  who  lived  on 
the  other  side  of  the  town.  Showing  him  a  piece 
of  gold  she  inquired  whether  he  were  ready  to 
earn  it  by  exercising  his  craft  in  implicit  obedience 
to  her  instructions.  And  when  Baba  Mustapha 
sought  to  know  the  terms,  "  First,"  said  she,  "  you 
must  come  with  your  eyes  bandaged  ;  secondly, 
you  must  sew  what  I  put  before  you  without 
asking  questions  ;  and  thirdly,  when  you  return 
you  must  tell  nobody." 

Mustapha,  who  had  a  lively  curiosity  into 
other  folk's  affairs,  boggled  for  a  time  at  the 
bandaging,  and  doubted  much  of  his  ability  to 
refrain  from  question  ;  but  having  on  these  con- 
siderations secured  the  doubling  of  his  fee,  he 

43 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

promised  secrecy  readily  enough,  and  taking  his 
cobbler's  tackle  in  hand  submitted  himself  to 
Morgiana's  guidance  and  set  forth.  This  way 
and  that  she  led  him  blindfold,  till  she  had 
brought  him  to  the  house  of  her  deceased  master. 
Then  uncovering  his  eyes  in  the  presence  of  the 
dismembered  corpse,  she  bade  him  get  out  thread 
and  wax  and  join  the  pieces  together. 

Baba  Mustapha  plied  his  task  according  to  the 
compact,  asking  no  question.  When  he  had 
done,  Morgiana  again  bandaged  his  eyes  and  led 
him  home,  and  giving  him  a  third  piece  of  gold 
the  more  to  satisfy  him,  she  bade  him  good-day 
and  departed. 

So  in  seemliness  and  without  scandal  of  any 
kind  were  the  obsequies  of  the  murdered 
Cassim  performed.  And  when  all  was  ended, 
seeing  that  his  widow  was  desolate  and  his  house 
in  need  of  a  protector,  Ali  Baba  with  brotherly 
piety  took  both  the  one  and  the  other  into  his 
care,  marrying  his  sister-in-law  according  to 
Moslem  rule,  and  removing  with  all  his  goods  and 
newly  acquired  treasure  to  the  house  which  had 
been  his  brother's.  And  having  also  acquired 
the  shop  where  Cassim  had  done  business,  he 

44 


FORTY  THIEVES 

put  into  it  his  own  son,  who  had  already  served 
an  apprenticeship  to  the  trade.  So,  with  his 
fortune  well  established,  let  us  now  leave  Ali 
Baba  and  return  to  the  robbers'  cave. 

Thither,  at  the  appointed  time,  came  the  forty- 
robbers,  bearing  in  hand  fresh  booty  ;  and  great 
was  their  consternation  to  discover  that  not  only 
had  the  body  of  Cassim  been  removed,  but  a 
good  many  sacks  of  gold  as  well.  It  was  no 
wonder  that  this  should  trouble  them,  for  so 
long  as  any  one  could  command  secret  access,  the 
cave  was  useless  as  a  depository  for  their  wealth. 
The  question  was,  What  could  they  do  to  put  an 
end  to  their  present  insecurity  ?  After  long  debate 
it  was  agreed  that  one  of  their  number  should  go 
into  the  town  disguised  as  a  traveller,  and  there, 
mixing  with  the  common  people,  learn  from  their 
report  whether  there  had  been  recently  any  case 
in  their  midst  of  sudden  prosperity  or  sudden 
death.  If  such  a  thing  could  be  discovered,  then 
they  made  sure  of  tracking  the  evil  to  its  source 
and  imposing  a  remedy. 

Although  the  penalty  for  failure  was  death,  one 
of  the  robbers  at  once  boldly  offered  himself  for 
the  venture,  and  having  transformed  himself  by 

45 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 


disguise  and  received  the  wise  counsels  and  com- 
mendations of  his  fellows,  he  set  out  for  the  town. 

Arriving  at  dawn  he  began  to  walk  up  and  down 
the  streets  and  watch  the  early  stirring  of  the  in- 
habitants. So,  before  long,  he  drew  up  at  the 
door  of  Baba  Mustapha,  who,  though  old,  was 
already  seated  at  work  upon  his  cobbler's  bench. 
The  robber  accosted  him.  "  I  wonder,"  said  he, 
"  to  see  a  man  of  your  age  at  work  so  early.  Does 
not  so  dull  a  light  strain  your  eyes  ?  "  "  Not  so 
much  as  you  might  think,"  answered  Baba  Mus- 
tapha. "  Why,  it  was  but  the  other  day  that  at  this 
same  hour  I  saw  well  enough  to  stitch  up  a  dead 
body  in  a  place  where  it  was  certainly  no  lighter." 
"  Stitch  up  a  dead  body !  "  cried  the  robber, 
in  pretended  amazement,  concealing  his  joy  at 
this  sudden  intelligence.  "  Surely  you  mean  in  its 
winding  sheet,  for  how  else  can  a  dead  body  be 
stitched  ?  "  "  No,  no,"  said  Mustapha  ;  "  what  I 
say  I  mean  ;  but  as  it  is  a  secret,  I  can  tell  you 
no  more."  The  robber  drew  out  a  piece  of  gold. 
"  Come,"  said  he,  "  tell  me  nothing  you  do  not 
care  to  ;  only  show  me  the  house  where  lay  the 
body  that  you  stitched."  Baba  Mustapha  eyed 
the  gold  longingly.    "  Would  that  I  could,"  he 

46 


FORTY  THIEVES 

replied;  "but  alas!  I  went  to  it  blindfold." 
"  Well,"  said  the  robber,  "  I  have  heard  that  a 
blind  man  remembers  his  road  ;  perhaps,  though 
seeing  you  might  lose  it,  blindfold  you  might 
find  it  again."  Tempted  by  the  offer  of  a  second 
piece  of  gold,  Baba  Mustapha  was  soon  per- 
suaded to  make  the  attempt.  "  It  was  here  that 
I  started,"  said  he,  showing  the  spot,  "  and  I 
turned  as  you  see  me  now."  The  robber  then 
put  a  bandage  over  his  eyes,  and  walked  beside 
him  through  the  streets,  partly  guiding  and  partly 
being  led,  till  of  his  own  accord  Baba  Mustapha 
stopped.  "  It  was  here,"  said  he.  "  The  door 
by  which  I  went  in  should  now  lie  to  the  right." 
And  he  had  in  fact  come  exactly  opposite  to  the 
house  which  had  once  been  Cassim's,  where  Ali 
Baba  now  dwelt. 

The  robber,  having  marked  the  door  with  a 
piece  of  chalk  which  he  had  provided  for  the 
purpose,  removed  the  bandage  from  Mustapha's 
eyes,  and  leaving  him  to  his  own  devices  returned 
with  all  possible  speed  to  the  cave  where  his 
comrades  were  awaiting  him. 

Soon  after  the  robber  and  cobbler  had  parted, 
Morgiana  happened  to  go  out  upon  an  errand, 

47 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

and  as  she  returned  she  noticed  the  mark  upon 
the  door.  "  This,"  she  thought,  "  is  not  as  it 
should  be ;  either  some  trick  is  intended,  or  there 
is  evil  brewing  for  my  master's  house."  Taking 
a  piece  of  chalk  she  put  a  similar  mark  upon  the 
five  or  six  doors  lying  to  right  and  left ;  and 
having  done  this  she  went  home  with  her  mind 
satisfied,  saying  nothing. 

In  the  meantime  the  robbers  had  learned  from 
their  companion  the  success  of  his  venture. 
Greatly  elated  at  the  thought  of  the  vengeance 
so  soon  to  be  theirs,  they  formed  a  plan  for 
entering  the  city  in  a  manner  that  should  arouse 
no  suspicion  among  the  inhabitants.  Passing  in 
by  twos  and  threes,  and  by  different  routes,  they 
came  together  to  the  market-place  at  an  appointed 
time,  while  the  captain  and  the  robber  who  had 
acted  as  spy  made  their  way  alone  to  the  street 
in  which  the  marked  door  was  to  be  found. 
Presently,  just  as  they  had  expected,  they  per- 
ceived a  door  with  the  mark  on  it.  "  That  is  it !  " 
said  the  robber ;  but  as  they  continued  walking 
so  as  to  avoid  suspicion,  they  came  upon  another 
and  another,  till,  before  they  were  done,  they  had 
passed  six  in  succession.   So  alike  were  the  marks 

48 


FORTY  THIEVES 

that  the  spy,  though  he  swore  he  had  made  but 
one,  could  not  tell  which  it  was.  Seeing  that  the 
design  had  failed,  the  captain  returned  to  the 
market-place,  and  having  passed  the  word  for 
his  troop  to  go  back  in  the  same  way  as  they 
had  come,  he  himself  set  the  example  of  retreat. 

When  they  were  all  reassembled  in  the  forest, 
the  captain  explained  how  the  matter  had  fallen, 
and  the  spy,  acquiescing  in  his  own  condemna- 
tion, kneeled  down  and  received  the  stroke  of  the 
executioner. 

But  as  it  was  still  necessary  for  the  safety  of 
all  that  so  great  a  trespass  and  theft  should  not 
pass  unavenged,  another  of  the  band,  undeterred 
by  the  fate  of  his  comrade,  volunteered  upon  the 
same  conditions  to  prosecute  the  quest  wherein 
the  other  had  failed.  Coming  by  the  same 
means  to  the  house  of  Ali  Baba,  he  set  upon  the 
door,  at  a  spot  not  likely  to  be  noticed,  a  mark  in 
red  chalk  to  distinguish  it  clearly  from  those 
which  were  already  marked  in  white.  But  even 
this  precaution  failed  of  its  end.  Morgiana, 
whose  eye  nothing  could  escape,  noticed  the  red 
mark  at  the  first  time  of  passing,  and  dealt  with 
it  just  as  she  had  done  with  the  previous  one. 

49  4 


ALI   BABA   AND  THE 

So  when  the  robbers  came,  hoping  this  time  to 
light  upon  the  door  without  fail,  they  found  not 
one  but  six  all  similarly  marked  with  red. 

When  the  second  spy  had  received  the  due 
reward  of  his  blunder,  the  captain  considered 
how  by  trusting  to  others  he  had  come  to  lose 
two  of  his  bravest  followers,  so  the  third  attempt 
he  determined  to  conduct  in  person.  Having 
found  his  way  to  Ali  Baba's  door,  as  the  two 
others  had  done  by  the  aid  of  Baba  Mustapha, 
he  did  not  set  any  mark  upon  it,  but  examined  it 
so  carefully  that  he  could  not  in  future  mistake 
it.  He  then  returned  to  the  forest  and  com- 
municated to  his  band  the  plan  which  he  had 
formed.  This  was  to  go  into  the  town  in  the 
disguise  of  an  oil-merchant,  bearing  with  him 
upon  nineteen  mules  thirty-eight  large  leather 
jars,  one  of  which,  as  a  sample,  was  to  be  full 
of  oil,  but  all  the  others  empty.  In  these  he 
purposed  to  conceal  the  thirty-seven  robbers  to 
which  his  band  was  now  reduced,  and  so  to 
convey  his  full  force  to  the  scene  of  action  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  arouse  no  suspicion  till  the 
signal  for  vengeance  should  be  given. 

Within  a  couple  of  days  he  had  secured  all 

50 


FORTY  THIEVES 

the  mules  and  jars  that  were  requisite,  and 
having  disposed  of  his  troop  according  to  the 
pre-arranged  plan,  he  drove  his  train  of  well- 
laden  mules  to  the  gates  of  the  city,  through 
which  he  passed  just  before  sunset.  Proceeding 
thence  to  Ali  Baba's  house,  and  arriving  as  it 
fell  dark,  he  was  about  to  knock  and  crave  a 
lodging  for  the  night,  when  he  perceived  Ali 
Baba  at  the  door  enjoying  the  fresh  air  after 
supper.  Addressing  him  in  tones  of  respect, 
"  Sir,"  said  he,  "  I  have  brought  my  oil  a  great 
distance  to  sell  to-morrow  in  the  market ;  and 
at  this  late  hour,  being  a  stranger,  I  know  not 
where  to  seek  for  a  shelter.  If  it  is  not  troubling 
you  too  much,  allow  me  to  stable  my  beasts 
here  for  the  night." 

The  captain's  voice  was  now  so  changed  from 
its  accustomed  tone  of  command,  that  Ali  Baba, 
though  he  had  heard  it  before,  did  not  recognize 
it.  Not  only  did  he  grant  the  stranger's  request 
for  bare  accommodation,  but  as  soon  as  the 
unlading  and  stabling  of  the  mules  had  been 
accomplished,  he  invited  him  to  stay  no  longer 
in  the  outer  court  but  enter  the  house  as  his 
guest.    The  captain,  whose  plans  this  proposal 

5i 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

somewhat  disarranged,  endeavoured  to  excuse 
himself  from  a  pretended  reluctance  to  give 
trouble ;  but  since  Ali  Baba  would  take  no 
refusal  he  was  forced  at  last  to  yield,  and  to 
submit  with  apparent  complaisance  to  an  enter- 
tainment which  the  hospitality  of  his  host 
extended  to  a  late  hour. 

When  they  were  about  to  retire  for  the  night, 
Ali  Baba  went  into  the  kitchen  to  speak  to 
Morgiana ;  and  the  captain  of  the  robbers,  on 
the  pretext  of  going  to  look  after  his  mules, 
slipped  out  into  the  yard  where  the  oil  jars 
were  standing  in  line.  Passing  from  jar  to  jar 
he  whispered  into  each,  "  When  you  hear  a 
handful  of  pebbles  fall  from  the  window  of  the 
chamber  where  I  am  lodged,  then  cut  your  way 
out  of  the  jar  and  make  ready,  for  the  time 
will  have  come."  He  then  returned  to  the  house, 
where  Morgiana  came  with  a  light  and  conducted 
him  to  his  chamber. 

Now  Ali  Baba,  before  going  to  bed,  had  said 
to  Morgiana,  "To-morrow  at  dawn  I  am  going 
to  the  baths  ;  let  my  bathing-linen  be  put  ready, 
and  see  that  the  cook  has  some  good  broth 
prepared  for  me  against  my  return."  Having 

52 


FORTY  THIEVES 

therefore  led  the  guest  up  to  his  chamber, 
Morgiana  returned  to  the  kitchen  and  ordered 
Abdallah  the  cook  to  put  on  the  pot  for  the 
broth.  Suddenly  while  she  was  skimming  it, 
the  lamp  went  out,  and,  on  searching,  she  found 
there  was  no  more  oil  in  the  house.  At  so  late 
an  hour  no  shop  would  be  open,  yet  somehow 
the  broth  had  to  be  made,  and  that  could  not 
be  done  without  a  light.  "As  for  that,"  said 
Abdallah,  seeing  her  perplexity,  "  why  trouble 
yourself?  There  is  plenty  of  oil  out  in  the 
yard."  "  Why,  to  be  sure !  "  said  Morgiana, 
and  sending  Abdallah  to  bed  so  that  he  might 
be  up  in  time  to  wake  his  master  on  the  morrow, 
she  took  the  oil-can  herself  and  went  out  into 
the  court.  As  she  approached  the  jar  which 
stood  nearest,  she  heard  a  voice  within  say,  "  Is 
it  time  ?  " 

To  one  of  Morgiana's  intelligence  an  oil-jar 
that  spoke  was  an  object  of  even  more  sus- 
picion than  a  chalk-mark  on  a  door,  and  in  an 
instant  she  apprehended  what  danger  for  her 
master  and  his  family  might  lie  concealed  around 
her.  Understanding  well  enough  that  an  oil-jar 
which  asked  a  question  required  an  answer,  she 

53 


ALI   BABA  AND  THE 

replied  quick  as  thought  and  without  the  least 
sign  of  perturbation,  "  Not  yet,  but  presently." 
And  thus  she  passed  from  jar  to  jar,  thirty- 
seven  in  all,  giving  the  same  answer,  till  she 
came  to  the  one  which  contained  the  oil. 

The  situation  was  now  clear  to  her.  Aware  of 
the  source  from  which  her  master  had  acquired 
his  wealth,  she  guessed  at  once  that,  in  extending 
shelter  to  the  oil-merchant,  Ali  Baba  had  in  fact 
admitted  to  his  house  the  robber  captain  and  his 
band.  On  the  instant  her  resolution  was  formed. 
Having  filled  the  oil-can  she  returned  to  the 
kitchen  ;  there  she  lighted  the  lamp,  and  then, 
taking  a  large  kettle,  went  back  once  more  to 
the  jar  which  contained  the  oil.  Filling  the 
kettle  she  carried  it  back  to  the  kitchen,  and 
putting  under  it  a  great  fire  of  wood  had  soon 
brought  it  to  the  boil.  Then  taking  it  in  hand 
once  more,  she  went  out  into  the  yard  and 
poured  into  each  jar  in  turn  a  sufficient  quantity 
of  the  boiling  oil  to  scald  its  occupant  to  death. 

She  then  returned  to  the  kitchen,  and  having 
made  Ali  Baba's  broth,  put  out  the  fire,  blew  out 
the  lamp,  and  sat  down  by  the  window  to  watch. 

Before  long  the  captain  of  the  robbers  awoke 

54 


FORTY  THIEVES 

from  the  short  sleep  which  he  had  allowed  him- 
self, and  finding  that  all  was  silent  in  the  house, 
he  rose  softly  and  opened  the  window.  Below 
stood  the  oil-jars ;  gently  into  their  midst  he 
threw  the  handful  of  pebbles  agreed  on  as  a 
signal ;  but  from  the  oil-jars  came  no  answer. 
He  threw  a  second  and  a  third  time  ;  yet  though 
he  could  hear  the  pebbles  falling  among  the  jars, 
there  followed  only  the  silence  of  the  dead. 
Wondering  whether  his  band  had  fled  leaving 
him  in  the  lurch,  or  whether  they  were  all  asleep, 
he  grew  uneasy,  and  descending  in  haste,  made 
his  way  into  the  court.  As  he  approached  the 
first  jar  a  smell  of  burning  and  hot  oil  assailed 
his  nostrils,  and  looking  within  he  beheld  in 
rigid  contortion  the  dead  body  of  his  comrade. 
In  every  jar  the  same  sight  presented  itself  till 
he  came  to  the  one  which  had  contained  the  oil. 
There,  in  what  was  missing,  the  means  and 
manner  of  his  companions'  death  were  made 
clear  to  him.  Aghast  at  the  discovery  and 
awake  to  the  danger  that  now  threatened  him, 
he  did  not  delay  an  instant,  but  forcing  the 
garden-gate,  and  thence  climbing  from  wall  to 
wall,  he  made  his  escape  out  of  the  city. 

55 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

When  Morgiana,  who  had  remained  all  this 
time  on  the  watch,  was  assured  of  his  final 
departure,  she  put  her  master's  bath-linen  ready, 
and  went  to  bed  well  satisfied  with  her  day's  work. 

The  next  morning  Ali  Baba,  awakened  by  his 
slave,  went  to  the  baths  before  daybreak.  On 
his  return  he  was  greatly  surprised  to  find  that 
the  merchant  was  gone,  leaving  his  mules  and 
oil-jars  behind  him.  He  inquired  of  Morgiana 
the  reason.  "  You  will  find  the  reason,"  said 
she,  "  if  you  look  into  the  first  jar  you  come  to." 
Ali  Baba  did  so,  and,  seeing  a  man,  started  back 
with  a  cry.  "  Do  not  be  afraid,"  said  Morgiana, 
"he  is  dead  and  harmless ;  and  so  are  all  the 
others  whom  you  will  find  if  you  look  further." 

As  Ali  Baba  went  from  one  jar  to  another, 
finding  always  the  same  sight  of  horror  within, 
his  knees  trembled  under  him ;  and  when  he 
came  at  last  to  the  one  empty  oil-jar,  he  stood 
for  a  time  motionless,  turning  upon  Morgiana 
eyes  of  wonder  and  inquiry.  "  And  what,"  he 
said  then,  "has  become  of  the  merchant?" 
"To  tell  you  that,"  said  Morgiana,  "  will  be  to 
tell  you  the  whole  story  ;  you  will  be  better  able 
to  hear  it  if  you  have  your  broth  first." 

56 


FORTY  THIEVES 

But  the  curiosity  of  Ali  Baba  was  far  too 
great  :  he  would  not  be  kept  waiting.  So  with- 
out further  delay  she  gave  him  the  whole 
history,  so  far  as  she  knew  it,  from  beginning 
to  end  ;  and  by  her  intelligent  putting  of  one 
thing  against  another,  she  left  him  at  last  in  no 
possible  doubt  as  to  the  source  and  nature  of 
the  conspiracy  which  her  quick  wits  had  so 
happily  defeated.  "  And  now,  dear  master,"  she 
said  in  conclusion,  "  continue  to  be  on  your 
guard,  for  though  all  these  are  dead,  one  remains 
alive;  and  he,  if  I  mistake  not,  is  the  captain 
of  the  band,  and  for  that  reason  the  more 
formidable  and  the  more  likely  to  cherish  the 
hope  of  vengeance." 

When  Morgiana  had  done  speaking  Ali  Baba 
clearly  perceived  that  he  owed  to  her  not  merely 
the  protection  of  his  property  but  life  itself. 
His  heart  was  full  of  gratitude.  "  Do  not 
doubt,"  he  said,  "  that  before  I  die  I  will  reward 
you  as  you  deserve ;  and  as  an  immediate  proof 
from  this  moment  I  give  you  your  liberty." 

This  token  of  his  approval  filled  Morgiana's 
heart  with  delight,  but  she  had  no  intention  of 
leaving  so  kind  a  master,  even  had  she  been 

57 


ALI   BABA  AND  THE 

sure  that  all  danger  was  now  over.  The 
immediate  question  which  next  presented  itself 
was  how  to  dispose  of  the  bodies.  Luckily  at 
the  far  end  of  the  garden  stood  a  thick  grove  of 
trees,  and  under  these  Ali  Baba  was  able  to  dig 
a  large  trench  without  attracting  the  notice  of 
his  neighbours.  Here  the  remains  of  the  thirty- 
seven  robbers  were  laid  side  by  side,  the  trench 
was  filled  again,  and  the  ground  made  level. 
As  for  the  mules,  since  Ali  Baba  had  no  use  for 
them,  he  sent  them,  one  or  two  at  a  time,  to  the 
market  to  be  sold. 

Meanwhile  the  robber  captain  had  fled  back  to 
the  forest.  Entering  the  cave  he  was  overcome 
by  its  gloom  and  loneliness.  "  Alas  !  "  he  cried, 
"  my  comrades,  partners  in  my  adventures, 
sharers  of  my  fortune,  how  shall  I  endure  to 
live  without  you?  Why  did  I  lead  you  to  a 
fate  where  valour  was  of  no  avail,  and  where 
death  turned  you  into  objects  of  ridicule  ? 
Surely  had  you  died  sword  in  hand  my  sorrow 
had  been  less  bitter  !  And  now  what  remains  for 
me  but  to  take  vengeance  for  your  death  and  to 
prove,  by  achieving  it  without  aid,  that  I  was 
worthy  to  be  the  captain  of  such  a  band  !  " 

58 


FORTY  THIEVES 

Thus  resolved,  at  an  early  hour  the  next  day, 
he  assumed  a  disguise  suitable  to  his  purpose, 
and  going  to  the  town  took  lodging  in  a  khan. 
Entering  into  conversation  with  his  host  he 
inquired  whether  anything  of  interest  had 
happened  recently  in  the  town  ;  but  the  other, 
though  full  of  gossip,  had  nothing  to  tell  him 
concerning  the  matter  in  which  he  was  most 
interested,  for  Ali  Baba,  having  to  conceal  from 
all  the  source  of  his  wealth,  had  also  to  be  silent 
as  to  the  dangers  in  which  it  involved  him. 

The  captain  then  inquired  where  there  was  a 
shop  for  hire  ;  and  hearing  of  one  that  suited 
him,  he  came  to  terms  with  the  owner,  and  before 
long  had  furnished  it  with  all  kinds  of  rich  stuffs 
and  carpets  and  jewelry  which  he  brought  by 
degrees  with  great  secrecy  from  the  cave. 

Now  this  shop  happened  to  be  opposite  to  that 
which  had  belonged  to  Cassim  and  was  now 
occupied  by  the  son  of  Ali  Baba  ;  so  before  long 
the  son  and  the  new-comer,  who  had  assumed 
the  name  of  Cogia  Houssain,  became  acquainted  ; 
and  as  the  youth  had  good  looks,  kind  manners, 
and  a  sociable  disposition,  it  was  not  long  before 
the  acquaintance  became  intimate. 

59 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

Cogia  Houssain  did  all  he  could  to  seal  the 
pretended  friendship,  the  more  so  as  it  had  not 
taken  him  long  to  discover  how  the  young  man 
and  Ali  Baba  were  related ;  so,  plying  him 
constantly  with  small  presents  and  acts  of 
hospitality,  he  forced  on  him  the  obligation  of 
making  some  return. 

Ali  Baba's  son,  however,  had  not  at  his  lodging 
sufficient  accommodation  for  entertainment ;  he 
therefore  told  his  father  of  the  difficulty  in  which 
Cogia  Houssain's  favours  had  placed  him,  and 
Ali  Baba  with  great  willingness  at  once  offered 
to  arrange  matters.  "  My  son,"  said  he,  "  to- 
morrow being  a  holiday,  all  shops  will  be  closed  ; 
then  do  you  after  dinner  invite  Cogia  Houssain  to 
walk  with  you  ;  and  as  you  return  bring  him  this 
way  and  beg  him  to  come  in.  That  will  be  better 
than  a  formal  invitation,  and  Morgiana  shall 
have  a  supper  prepared  for  you." 

This  proposal  was  exactly  what  Ali  Baba's  son 
could  have  wished,  so  on  the  morrow  he  brought 
Cogia  Houssain  to  the  door  as  if  by  accident,  and 
stopping,  invited  him  to  enter. 

Cogia  Houssain,  who  saw  his  object  thus 
suddenly  attained,  began  by  showing  pretended 

60 


FORTY  THIEVES 

reluctance,  but  Ali  Baba  himself  coming  to  the 
door,  pressed  him  in  the  most  kindly  mariner  to 
enter,  and  before  long  had  conducted  him  to  the 
table,  where  food  stood  prepared. 

But  there  an  unlooked-for  difficulty  arose. 
Wicked  though  he  might  be  the  robber  captain 
was  not  so  impious  as  to  eat  the  salt  of  the  man 
he  intended  to  kill.  He  therefore  began  with 
many  apologies  to  excuse  himself;  and  when 
Ali  Baba  sought  to  know  the  reason,  "  Sir,"  said 
he,  "  I  am  sure  that  if  you  knew  the  cause  of  my 
resolution  you  would  approve  of  it.  Suffice  it  to 
say  that  I  have  made  it  a  rule  to  eat  of  no  dish 
that  has  salt  in  it.  How  then  can  I  sit  down  at 
your  table  if  I  must  reject  everything  that  is  set 
before  me  ?  " 

"  If  that  is  your  scruple,"  said  AJi-  Baba,  "  it 
shall  soon  be  satisfied,"  and  he  sent  orders  to  the 
kitchen  that  no  salt  was  to  be  put  into  any  of  the 
dishes  presently  to  be  served  to  the  newly  arrived 
guest.  "  Thus,"  said  he  to  Cogia  Houssain,  "  I 
shall  still  have  the  honour,  to  which  I  have  looked 
forward,  of  returning  to  you  under  my  own  roof 
the  hospitality  you  have  shown  to  my  son." 

Morgiana,  who  was  just  about  to  serve  supper, 

61 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

received  the  order  with  some  discontent.  "  Who," 
she  said,  "  is  this  difficult  person  that  refuses  to 
eat  salt  ?  He  must  be  a  curiosity  worth  looking 
at."  So  when  the  saltless  courses  were  ready  to 
be  set  upon  the  table,  she  herself  helped  to  carry 
in  the  dishes.  No  sooner  had  she  set  eyes  on 
Cogia  Houssain  than  she  recognized  him  in  spite 
of  his  disguise ;  and  observing  his  movements 
with  great  attention  she  saw  that  he  had  a  dagger 
concealed  beneath  his  robe.  "  Ah  !  "  she  said  to 
herself,  "  here  is  reason  enough  !  For  who  will 
eat  salt  with  the  man  he  means  to  murder  ? 
But  he  shall  not  murder  my  master  if  I  can 
prevent  it." 

Now  Morgiana  knew  that  the  most  favourable 
opportunity  for  the  robber  captain  to  carry  out  his 
design  would  be  after  the  courses  had  been  with- 
drawn, and  when  Ali  Baba  and  his  son  and 
guest  were  alone  together  over  their  wine,  which 
indeed  was  the  very  project  that  Cogia  Houssain 
had  formed.  Going  forth,  therefore,  in  haste,  she 
dressed  herself  as  a  dancer,  assuming  the  head- 
dress and  mask  suitable  for  the  character.  Then 
she  fastened  a  silver  girdle  about  her  waist,  and 
hung  upon  it  a  dagger  of  the  same  material. 

62 


FORTY  THIEVES 


Thus  equipped,  she  said  to  Abdallah  the  cook, 
"  Take  your  tabor  and  let  us  go  in  and  give  an 
entertainment  in  honour  of  our  master's  guest." 

So  Abdallah  took  his  tabor,  and  played  Mor- 
giana  into  the  hall.  As  soon  as  she  had  entered 
she  made  a  low  curtsey,  and  stood  awaiting 
orders.  Then  Ali  Baba,  seeing  that  she  wished 
to  perform  in  his  guest's  honour,  said  kindly, 
"Come  in,  Morgiana,  and  show  Cogia  Houssain 
what  you  can  do." 

Immediately  Abdallah  began  to  beat  upon  his 
tabor  and  sing  an  air  for  Morgiana  to  dance  to  ; 
and  she,  advancing  with  much  grace  and  propriety 
of  deportment,  began  to  move  through  several 
figures,  performing  them  with  the  ease  and 
facility  which  none  but  the  most  highly  practised 
can  attain  to.  Then,  for  the  last  figure  of  all,  she 
drew  out  the  dagger  and,  holding  it  in  her  hand, 
danced  a  dance  which  excelled  all  that  had  pre- 
ceded it  in  the  surprise  and  change  and  quickness 
and  dexterity  of  its  movements.  Now  she  pre- 
sented the  dagger  at  her  own  breast,  now  at  one 
of  the  onlookers  ;  but  always  in  the  act  of  striking 
she  drew  back.  At  length,  as  though  out  of 
breath,  she  snatched  his  instrument  from  Abdallah 

63 


ALI  BABA  AND  THE 

with  her  left  hand,  and,  still  holding  the  dagger 
in  her  right,  advanced  the  hollow  of  the  tabor 
toward  her  master,  as  is  the  custom  of  dancers 
when  claiming  their  fee.  Ali  Baba  threw  in  a 
piece  of  gold ;  his  son  did  likewise.  Then 
advancing  it  in  the  same  manner  toward  Cogia 
Houssain,  who  was  feeling  for  his  purse,  she 
struck  under  it,  and  before  he  knew  had  plunged 
her  dagger  deep  into  his  heart. 

Ali  Baba  and  his  son,  seeing  their  guest  fall  dead, 
cried  out  in  horror  at  the  deed.  "  Wretch !  " 
exclaimed  Ali  Baba,  "what  ruin  and  shame  hast 
thou  brought  on  us  ? "  "  Nay,"  answered 
Morgiana,  "  it  is  not  your  ruin  but  your  life 
that  I  have  thus  secured  ;  look  and  convince 
yourself  what  man  was  this  which  refused  to 
eat  salt  with  you  !  "  So  saying,  she  tore  off  the 
dead  robber's  disguise,  showing  the  dagger  con- 
cealed below,  and  the  face  which  her  master  now 
for  the  first  time  recognized. 

Ali  Baba's  gratitude  to  Morgiana  for  thus 
preserving  his  life  a  second  time,  knew  no  bounds. 
He  took  her  in  his  arms  and  embraced  her  as  a 
daughter.  "  Now,"  said  he,  "  the  time  is  come 
when  I  must  fulfil  my  debt ;  and  how  better  can 

64 


FORTY  THIEVES 

I  do  it  than  by  marrying  you  to  my  son  ? " 
This  proposition,  far  from  proving  unwelcome  to 
the  young  man,  did  but  confirm  an  inclination 
already  formed.  A  few  days  later  the  nuptials 
were  celebrated  with  great  joy  and  solemnity,  and 
the  union  thus  auspiciously  commenced  was 
productive  of  as  much  happiness  as  lies  within 
the  power  of  mortals  to  secure. 

As  for  the  robbers'  cave,  it  remained  the  secret 
possession  of  Ali  Baba  and  his  posterity ;  and 
using  their  good  fortune  with  equity  and  moder- 
ation, they  rose  to  high  office  in  the  city  and  were 
held  in  great  honour  by  all  who  knew  them. 


65 


5 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  MAGIC 
HORSE 

In  the  land  of  the  Persians  there  lived  in 
ancient  times  a  King  who  had  three  daughters 
and  an  only  son  of  such  beauty  that  they  drew  the 
eyes  of  all  beholders  like  moonrise  in  a  clear 
heaven.  Now  it  was  the  custom  in  that  country 
for  a  great  festival  to  be  held  at  the  new  year, 
during  which  people  of  all  grades,  from  the 
highest  to  the  lowest,  presented  themselves  before 
the  King  with  offerings  and  salutations.  So  it 
happened  that  on  one  of  these  days  there  came  to 
the  King  as  he  sat  in  state  three  sages,  masters 
of  their  craft,  bringing  gifts  for  approval. 
The  first  had  with  him  a  peacock  of  gold  which 
was  so  constructed  that  at  the  passing  of  each 
hour  it  beat  its  wings  and  uttered  a  cry.  And  the 
King,  having  proved  it,  found  the  gift  acceptable 
and  caused  the  inventor  thereof  to  be  suitably 
rewarded.  The  second  had  made  a  trumpet  so  that 

66 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

if  placed  over  the  gates  of  a  city  it  blew  a  blast 
against  any  that  sought  to  enter  ;  and  thus  was  the 
city  held  safe  from  surprise  by  an  enemy.  And 
when  the  King  had  found  that  it  possessed  that 
property,  he  accepted  it,  bestowing  on  its  maker 
a  rich  reward. 

But  the  gift  of  the  third  sage,  who  was  an 
Indian,  appeared  more  prodigious  than  all,  for 
he  had  brought  with  him  a  horse  of  ivory  and 
ebony,  for  which  he  claimed  that,  at  the  will  of 
its  owner,  or  of  any  one  instructed  in  the  secret, 
it  would  rise  above  the  earth  and  fly,  arriving  at 
distant  places  in  a  marvellously  short  space  of 
time.  The  King,  full  of  wonder  at  such  a  state- 
ment, and  eager  to  test  it,  was  in  some  doubt  as 
to  how  he  might  do  so,  for  the  Indian  was  un- 
willing to  part  with  the  secret  until  secure  of  the 
reward  which  in  his  own  mind  he  had  fixed  on. 
Now  it  happened  that  at  a  distance  of  some  three 
leagues  from  the  city  there  stood  a  mountain  the 
top  of  which  was  clearly  discernible  to  all  eyes  ; 
so,  in  order  that  the  Indian's  word  might  be 
proved,  the  King,  pointing  to  it,  said,  "  Go 
yonder,  and  bring  back  to  me  while  I  wait  the 
branch  of  a  palm-tree  which  grows  at  the  foot 

67 


THE  STORY  OF 

of  that  mountain  ;  then  I  shall  know  that  what 
you  tell  me  is  true." 

Instantly  the  Indian  set  foot  in  the  stirrup 
and  vaulted  upon  his  charger,  and  scarcely  had 
he  turned  a  small  peg  which  was  set  in  the 
pommel  of  the  saddle,  when  the  horse  rose  lightly 
into  the  air  and  bore  him  away  at  wondrous 
speed  amid  the  shouts  of  the  beholders ;  and 
while  all  were  still  gazing,  amazed  at  so  sudden 
a  vanishing,  he  reappeared  high  overhead,  bear- 
ing the  palm  branch,  and  descending  into  their 
midst  alighted  upon  the  very  spot  from  which 
he  had  started,  where,  prostrating  himself,  he  laid 
the  branch  at  the  King's  feet. 

The  King  was  so  delighted  when  the  wonder- 
ful properties  of  the  horse  had  been  thus  revealed 
to  him,  that,  eager  to  possess  it,  he  bade  the 
Indian  name  his  own  reward,  declaring  that  no 
price  could  be  too  great.  Then  said  the  sage, 
"  Since  your  Majesty  so  truly  appreciates  the  value 
of  my  invention,  I  do  not  fear  that  the  reward 
I  ask  for  will  seem  too  high.  Give  me  in 
marriage  the  hand  of  the  fairest  of  your  three 
daughters,  and  the  horse  shall  be  yours." 

At  so  arrogant  a  claim  all  the  courtiers  burst 

68 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

into  loud  laughter  ;  the  King  alone,  consumed 
with  the  desire  of  possessing  the  wonderful 
treasure,  hesitated  as  to  what  answer  he  should 
give.  Then  the  King's  son,  Prince  Firouz 
Schah,  seeing  his  father  lend  ear  to  so  shameful 
a  proposal,  became  moved  with  indignation. 
Determined  to  defend  his  sister's  honour  and 
his  own,  he  addressed  the  King.  "  Pardon  me, 
Sire,"  said  he,  "  if  I  take  the  liberty  of  speaking. 
But  how  shall  it  be  possible  for  one  of  the 
greatest  and  most  powerful  monarchs  to  ally 
himself  to  a  mere  nobody?  I  entreat  you  to 
consider  what  is  due  not  to  yourself  alone  but 
to  the  high  blood  of  your  ancestors  and  of  your 
children." 

"  My  son,"  replied  the  King  of  Persia,  "what 
you  say  is  very  true,  so  far  as  it  goes ;  but 
you  do  not  sufficiently  consider  the  value  of 
so  incomparable  a  marvel  as  this  horse  has 
proved  itself  to  be,  or  how  great  would  be  my 
chagrin  if  any  other  monarch  came  to  possess 
it.  And  though  I  have  not  yet  agreed  to  the 
Indian's  proposal,  I  cannot  incontinently  reject 
it.  But  first  I  must  be  satisfied  that  the  horse 
will  obey  other  hands  besides  those  of  its  in- 

69 


/ 


THE  STORY  OF 

ventor,  else,  though  I  become  its  possessor,  I 
may  find  it  useless. 

The  Indian,  who  had  stood  aside  during  this  dis- 
cussion, was  now  full  of  hope,  for  he  perceived  that 
the  King  had  not  altogether  rejected  his  terms, 
and  nothing  seemed  likelier  than  that  the  more 
he  became  familiar  with  the  properties  of  the 
magic  horse  the  more  would  he  wish  to  possess 
it.  When,  therefore,  the  King  proposed  that 
the  horse  should  be  put  to  a  more  independent 
trial  under  another  rider,  the  Indian  readily 
agreed  ;  the  more  so  when  the  prince  himself, 
relinquishing  his  apparent  opposition,  came  for- 
ward and  volunteered  for  the  essay. 

The  King  having  consented,  the  prince 
mounted,  and  eager  in  his  design  to  give  his 
father  opportunity  for  cooler  reflection,  he  did  not 
wait  to  hear  all  the  Indian's  instructions,  but 
turning  the  peg,  as  he  had  seen  the  other  do  when 
first  mounting,  caused  the  horse  to  rise  suddenly 
in  the  air,  and  was  carried  away  out  of  sight 
in  an  easterly  direction  more  swiftly  than  an 
arrow  shot  from  a  bow. 

No  sooner  had  the  horse  and  its  rider  disap- 
peared than  the  King  became  greatly  concerned  for 

70 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

his  son's  safety  ;  and  though  the  sage  could  justly 
excuse  himself  on  the  ground  that  the  young 
prince's  impatience  had  caused  him  to  cut  short 
the  instructions  which  would  have  insured  his  safe 
return,  the  King  choose  to  vent  upon  the  Indian 
the  full  weight  of  his  displeasure  ;  and  cursing 
the  day  wherein  he  had  first  set  eyes  on  the 
magic  horse,  he  caused  its  maker  to  be  thrown 
into  prison,  declaring  that  if  the  prince  did  not 
return  within  a  stated  time  the  life  of  the  other 
should  be  forfeit. 

The  Indian  had  now  good  cause  to  repent  of 
the  ambition  which  had  brought  him  to  this 
extremity,  for  the  prince,  of  whose  opposition  to 
his  project  he  had  been  thoroughly  informed,  had 
only  to  prolong  his  absence  to  involve  him  in 
irretrievable  ruin.  But  on  the  failure  of  arrogant 
pretensions  the  sympathy  of  the  judicious  is 
wasted  ;  let  us  return  therefore  to  Prince  Firouz 
Schah,  whom  we  left  flying  through  the  air  with 
incredible  swiftness  on  the  back  of  the  magic 
steed. 

For  a  time,  confident  of  his  skill  as  a 
rider  and  undismayed  either  by  the  speed  or 
altitude  of  his  flight,  the  prince  had  no  wish  to 

7i 


THE  STORY  OF 

return  to  the  palace  ;  but  presently  the  thought  of 
his  father's  anxiety  occurred  to  him,  and  being  of  a 
tender  and  considerate  disposition  he  immediately 
endeavoured  to  divert  his  steed  from  its  forward 
course.  This  he  sought  to  do  by  turning  in  the 
contrary  direction  the  peg  which  he  had  handled 
when  mounting,  but  to  his  astonishment  the 
horse  responded  by  rising  still  higher  in  the  air 
and  flying  forward  with  redoubled  swiftness. 
Had  courage  then  deserted  him,  his  situation 
might  have  become  perilous  ;  but  preserving  his 
accustomed  coolness  he  began  carefully  to  search 
for  the  means  by  which  the  speed  of  the  machine 
might  be  abated,  and  before  long  he  perceived 
under  the  horse's  mane  a  smaller  peg,  which  he 
had  no  sooner  touched  than  he  felt  himself  de- 
scending rapidly  toward  the  earth,  with  a  speed 
that  lessened  the  nearer  he  came  to  ground. 

As  he  descended,  the  daylight  in  which 
hitherto  he  had  been  travelling  faded  from  view, 
and  he  passed  within  a  few  minutes  from  sunset 
into  an  obscurity  so  dense  that  he  could  no 
longer  distinguish  the  nature  of  his  environment, 
till,  as  the  horse  alighted,  he  perceived  beneath 
him  a  smooth  expanse  ending  abruptly  on  all 

72 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 


sides  at  an  apparent  elevation  among  the  objects 
surrounding  it. 

Dismounting  he  found  himself  on  the  roof  of 
a  large  palace,  with  marble  balustrades  dividing 
it  in  terraces,  and  at  one  side  a  staircase  which 
led  down  to  the  interior.  With  a  spirit  ever 
ready  for  adventure  Prince  Firouz  Schah  imme- 
diately descended,  groping  his  way  through  the 
darkness  till  he  came  to  a  landing  on  the  further 
side  of  which  an  open  door  led  into  a  room  where 
a  dim  light  was  burning. 

The  prince  paused  at  the  doorway  to  listen,  \ 
but  all  he  could  hear  was  the  sound  of  men 
breathing  heavily  in  their  sleep.  He  pushed  the 
door  and  entered ;  and  there  across  an  inner 
threshold  he  saw  black  eunuchs  lying  asleep,  each 
with  a  drawn  sword  in  his  hand.  Immediately 
he  guessed  that  something  far  more  fair  must 
lie  beyond  ;  so,  undeterred  by  the  danger,  he 
advanced,  and  stepping  lightly  across  their 
swords  passed  through  silken  hangings  into  the 
inner  chamber.  Here  he  perceived,  amid  sur- 
roundings of  regal  magnificence,  a  number  of 
couches,  one  of  which  stood  higher  than  the  rest. 
Upon  each  of  these  a  fair  damsel  lay  asleep ; 

73 


THE  STORY  OF 

but  upon  that  which  was  raised  above  its  fellows 
lay  a  form  of  such  perfect  and  enchanting  beauty 
that  the  prince  had  no  will  or  power  to  turn 
away  after  once  beholding  it.  Approaching  the 
sleeper  softly,  he  kneeled  down  and  plucked  her 
gently  by  the  sleeve ;  and  immediately  the 
princess — for  such  if  rank  and  beauty  accorded 
she  needs  must  be — opened  to  him  the  depths 
of  her  lustrous  eyes  and  gazed  in  quiet  amaze- 
ment at  the  princely  youth  whose  handsome 
looks  and  reverent  demeanour  banished  at  once 
all  thought  of  alarm. 

Now  it  so  happened  that  a  son  of  the  King  of 
India  was  at  that  time  seeking  the  hand  of  the 
princess  in  marriage ;  but  her  father,  the  King 
of  Bengal,  had  rejected  him  owing  to  his 
ferocious  and  disagreeable  aspect.  When  there- 
fore the  princess  saw  one  of  royal  appearance 
kneeling  before  her  she  supposed  he  could  be 
no  other  than  the  suitor  whom  she  knew  only 
by  report,  and  shedding  upon  him  the  light  of 
her  regard,  "  By  Allah,"  she  said,  smiling,  "  my 
father  lied  in  saying  that  good  looks  were  lacking 
to  thee  !  " 

Prince  Firouz  Schah,  perceiving  from  these 

74 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

words  and  the  glance  which  accompanied  them, 
that  her  disposition  towards  him  was  favourable, 
no  longer  feared  to  acquaint  her  with  the  plight 
in  which  he  found  himself;  while  the  princess, 
for  her  part,  listened  to  the  story  of  his  adven- 
tures with  lively  interest,  and  learned,  not 
without  secret  satisfaction,  that  her  visitor  pos- 
sessed a  rank  and  dignity  equal  to  her  own. 

Meanwhile  the  maidens  who  were  in  attendance 
on  the  princess  had  awakened  in  dismay  to  the 
unaccountable  apparition  of  a  fair  youth  kneeling 
at  the  feet  of  their  mistress,  and,  dreading 
discovery  by  the  attendants,  were  all  at  a  loss 
what  to  do.  The  princess  however,  seeing  that 
they  were  awake,  called  them  to  her  with  perfect 
composure  and  bade  them  go  instantly  and 
prepare  an  inner  chamber  where  the  prince 
might  sleep  and  recover  from  the  fatigues  of  his 
journey ;  at  the  same  time  she  gave  orders  for 
a  rich  banquet  to  be  prepared  against  the  time 
when  he  should  be  ready  to  partake  of  it.  Then 
when  her  visitor  had  retired,  she  arose  and 
began  to  adorn  herself  in  jewels  and  rich  robes 
and  to  anoint  her  body  with  fragrance,  giving 
her  women  no  rest  till  the  tale  of  her  mirror 

75 


THE  STORY  OF 

contented  her ;  and  when  all  had  been  done 
many  times  over,  and  the  last  touch  of  art  added 
to  her  loveliness,  she  sent  to  inquire  whether  the 
prince  had  yet  awaked  and  were  ready  to  receive 
her. 

Upon  the  receipt  of  that  message  the  prince 
rose  eagerly,  and  dressing  in  haste,  although  it 
was  scarcely  yet  day,  heard  everywhere  within 
the  palace  sounds  of  preparation  for  the  feast 
that  was  being  got  ready  in  his  honour. 

Before  long  the  princess  herself  entered  to 
inquire  how  he  had  slept,  and  being  fully  assured 
on  that  score,  she  gave  orders  for  the  banquet 
to  be  served.  Everything  was  done  in  the 
greatest  magnificence,  but  the  princess  was  full 
of  apologies,  declaring  the  entertainment  un- 
worthy of  so  distinguished  a  guest.  "  You 
must  pardon  me,  prince,"  she  said,  "for  receiving 
you  with  so  little  state,  and  after  so  hasty  a 
preparation  ;  but  the  chief  of  the  eunuchs  does 
not  enter  here  without  my  express  permission, 
and  I  feared  that  elsewhere  our  conversation 
might  be  interrupted." 

Prince  Firouz  Schah  was  now  convinced  that 
the  inclinations   of  the  princess  corresponded 

76 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

with  his  own ;  but  though  her  every  word  and 
movement  increased  the  tenderness  of  his 
passion,  he  did  not  forget  the  respect  due  to  her 
rank  and  virtue.  One  of  her  women  attendants 
however,  seeing  clearly  in  what  direction  matters 
were  tending,  and  fearing  for  herself  the  results 
of  a  sudden  discovery,  withdrew  secretly,  saying 
nothing  to  the  rest,  and  running  quickly  to  the 
chief  of  the  eunuchs  she  cried,  "  O  miserable 
man,  what  sorry  watch  is  this  that  thou  hast 
kept,  guarding  the  King's  honour ;  and  who  is 
this  man  or  genie  that  thou  hast  admitted  to  the 
presence  of  our  mistress  ?  Nay,  if  the  matter  be 
not  already  past  remedy  the  fault  is  not  thine  !  " 

At  these  words  the  eunuch  leapt  up  in  alarm, 
and  going  secretly  he  lifted  the  curtain  of  the 
inner  chamber,  and  there  beheld  at  the  princess's 
side  a  youth  of  such  fair  and  majestical  appear- 
ance that  he  durst  not  intrude  unbidden.  He 
ran  shrieking  to  the  King,  and  as  he  went  he 
rent  his  garments  and  threw  dust  upon  his  head. 
"  O  sire  and  master,"  he  cried,  "  come  quickly 
and  save  thy  daughter,  for  there  is  with  her  a 
genie  in  mortal  form  and  like  a  king's  son  to 
look  upon,  and  if  he  have  not  already  carried 

77 


THE  STORY  OF 


her  away,  make  haste  and  give  orders  that  he 
be  seized,  lest  thou  become  childless." 

The  King  at  once  arose  and  went  in  great 
haste  and  fear  to  his  daughter's  palace.  There 
he  was  met  by  certain  of  her  women,  who,  seeing 
his  alarm,  said,  "  O  sire,  have  no  fear  for  the 
safety  of  thy  daughter ;  for  this  young  man  is 
as  handsome  of  heart  as  of  person,  and  as  his 
conduct  is  chaste,  so  also  are  his  intentions 
honourable." 

Then  the  King's  wrath  was  cooled  somewhat ; 
but  since  much  remained  which  demanded 
explanation  he  drew  his  sword  and  advanced 
with  a  threatening  aspect  into  the  room  where 
his  daughter  and  the  prince  still  sat  conversing. 
Prince  Firouz  Schah  observing  the  newcomer 
advance  upon  him  in  a  warlike  attitude,  drew 
his  own  sword  and  stood  ready  for  defence ; 
whereupon  the  King,  seeing  that  the  other  was 
the  stronger,  sheathed  his  weapon,  and  with  a 
gesture  of  salutation  addressed  him  courteously. 
"Tell  me,  fair  youth,"  he  said,  "whether  you  are 
man  or  devil,  for  though  in  appearance  you  are 
human,  how  else  than  by  devilry  have  you  come 
here  ?  " 

78 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

"  Sire,''  replied  the  youth,  "  but  for  the  respect 
that  is  owing  to  the  father  of  so  fair  a  daughter, 
I,  whom  am  a  son  of  kings,  might  resent  such 
an  imputation.  Be  assured,  however,  that  by 
whatever  means  I  have  chosen  to  arrive,  my 
intentions  now  are  altogether  human  and 
honourable  ;  for  I  have  no  other  or  dearer 
wish  than  to  become  your  son-in-law  through 
my  marriage  with  this  princess  in  whose  eyes  it 
is  my  happiness  to  have  found  favour." 

"  What  you  tell  me,"  answered  the  King, 
"  may  be  all  very  true  ;  but  it  is  not  the  custom 
for  the  sons  of  kings  to  enter  into  palaces  without 
the  permission  of  their  owners,  coming,  more- 
over, unannounced  and  with  no  retinue  or  mark  of 
royalty  about  them.  How,  then,  shall  I  convince 
my  people  that  you  are  a  fit  suitor  for  the  hand 
of  my  daughter  ?  " 

"  The  proof  of  honour  and  kingship,"  answered 
the  other,  "does  not  rest  in  splendour  and  retinue 
alone,  though  these  also  would  be  at  my  call  had 
I  the  patience  to  await  their  arrival  from  that 
too  distant  country  where  my  father  is  king. 
Let  it  suffice  if  I  shall  be  able  to  prove  my 
worth  alone  and  unaided,  in  such  a  manner  as  to 

79 


THE  STORY  OF 

satisfy  all."  "  Alone  and  unaided  ?  "  said  the 
King  ;  "  how  may  that  be  ?  "  "I  will  prove  it 
thus,"  answered  the  prince.  "  Call  out  your 
troops  and  let  them  surround  this  palace ; 
tell  them  that  you  have  here  a  stranger,  of 
whom  nothing  is  known,  who  declares  that 
if  you  will  not  yield  him  the  hand  of  your 
daughter  in  marriage  he  will  carry  her  away 
from  you  by  force.  Bid  them  use  all  means 
to  capture  and  slay  me,  and  if  I  survive  so 
unequal  a  contest,  judge  then  whether  or  no  I 
am  fit  to  become  your  son-in-law." 

The  King  immediately  accepted  the  proposal, 
agreeing  to  abide  by  the  result ;  yet  was  he 
grieved  that  a  youth  of  such  fair  looks  and 
promise  should  throw  away  his  life  in  so  fool- 
hardy an  adventure.  As  soon  as  day  dawned 
he  sent  for  his  Vizier  and  bade  him  cause  all  the 
chiefs  of  his  army  to  assemble  with  their  troops 
and  companies,  till  presently  there  were  gathered 
about  the  palace  forty  thousand  horsemen  and 
the  same  number  of  foot ;  and  the  King  gave 
them  instructions,  saying,  "When  the  young 
man  of  whom  I  have  warned  you  comes  forth 
and  challenges  you  to  battle,  then  fall  upon  and 

80 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

slay  him,  for  in  no  wise  must  he  escape."  He 
then  led  the  prince  to  an  open  space  whence  he 
could  see  the  whole  army  drawn  up  in  array 
against  him.  "  Yonder,"  said  the  King,  pointing, 
"are  those  with  whom  you  have  to  contend ;  go 
forth  and  deal  with  them  as  seems  best  to  you." 

"  Nay,"  answered  the  prince,  "  these  are  not 
fair  conditions,  for  yonder  I  see  horsemen  as 
well  as  foot ;  how  shall  I  contend  against  these 
unless  I  be  mounted  ?"  The  King  at  once  offered 
him  the  best  horse  in  his  stables,  but  the  prince 
would  not  hear  of  it.  "  Is  it  fair,"  he  said,  "  that 
I  should  trust  my  life  under  such  conditions  to 
a  horse  that  I  have  never  ridden  ?  I  will  ride 
no  horse  but  that  upon  which  I  came  hither." 

"Where  is  that?"  inquired  the  King.  "If 
it  be  where  I  left  it,"  answered  the  prince,  "it  is 
upon  the  roof  of  the  palace." 

All  who  heard  this  answer  were  filled  with 
laughter  and  astonishment,  for  it  seemed  impos- 
sible that  a  horse  could  have  climbed  to  so  high 
a  roof.  Nevertheless  the  King  commanded  that 
search  should  be  made,  and  there,  sure  enough, 
those  that  were  sent  found  the  horse  of  ebony 
and  ivory  standing  stiff  and  motionless.  So 

81  6 


THE  STORY  OF 

though  it  still  seemed  to  them  but  a  thing  for 
jest  and  mockery,  obeying  the  King's  orders  they 
raised  it  upon  their  shoulders,  and  bearing  it  to 
earth  carried  it  forth  into  the  open  space  before 
the  palace  where  the  King's  troops  were 
assembled. 

Then  Prince  Firouz  Schah  advanced,  and 
leaping  upon  the  horse  he  cried  defiance  to  the 
eighty  thousand  men  that  stood  in  battle  array 
against  him.  And  they,  on  their  part,  seeing 
the  youth  so  hardily  set  on  his  own  destruction, 
drew  sword  and  couched  spear,  and  came  all 
together  to  the  charge.  The  prince  waited  till 
they  were  almost  upon  him,  then  turning  the  peg 
which  stood  in  the  pommel  of  his  saddle  he 
caused  the  horse  to  rise  suddenly  in  the  air,  and 
all  the  foremost  ranks  of  the  enemy  came  clash- 
ing together  beneath  him.  At  that  sight  the 
King  and  all  his  court  drew  a  breath  of  astonish- 
ment, and  the  army  staggered  and  swung  about 
this  way  and  that,  striking  vainly  up  at  the 
hoofs  of  the  magic  horse  as  it  flew  over  them. 
Then  the  King,  full  of  dread  lest  this  should 
indeed  be  some  evil  genie  that  sought  to  carry 
his   daughter  away  from   him,  called   to  his 

82 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 


archers  to  shoot,  but  before  they  could  make 
ready  their  bows  Prince  Firouz  Schah  had  given 
another  turn  to  the  peg,  and  immediately  the 
horse  sprang  upward  and  rose  higher  than  the 
roof  of  the  palace,  so  that  all  the  arrows  fell 
short  and  rained  destruction  on  those  that  were 
below. 

Then  the  prince  called  to  the  King,  "  O  King 
of  Bengal,  have  I  not  now  proved  myself  worthy 
to  be  thy  son-in-law,  and  wilt  thou  not  give  me 
the  hand  of  thy  daughter  in  marriage  ?  "  But 
the  King's  wrath  was  very  great,  for  he  had  been 
made  foolish  in  the  eyes  of  his  people,  and  panic 
had  broken  the  ranks  of  his  army  and  many  of 
them  were  slain  ;  and  by  no  means  would  he 
have  for  his  son-in-law  one  that  possessed  such 
power  to  throw  down  the  order  and  establish- 
ment of  his  kingdom.  So  he  cried  back  to  the 
prince,  saying,  "  O  vile  enchanter,  get  hence  as 
thou  valuest  thy  life,  for  if  ever  thou  darest  to 
return  and  set  foot  within  my  dominions  thy 
death  and  not  my  daughter  shall  be  thy  reward  !" 
Thus  he  spoke  in  his  anger,  forgetting  alto- 
gether the  promise  he  had  made. 

Now  it  should  be  known  that  all  this  time  the 

83 


THE  STORY  OF 

princess  had  been  watching  the  combat  from  the 
roof  of  the  palace  ;  and  as  her  fear  and  anxiety  for 
the  prince  had  in  the  first  instance  been  great,  so 
now  was  she  overjoyed  when  she  saw  him  rise 
superior  to  the  dangers  which  had  threatened 
him.  But  as  soon  as  she  heard  her  father's 
words  she  became  filled  with  fresh  fear  lest  she 
and  her  lover  were  now  to  be  parted  ;  so  as  the 
prince  came  speeding  by  upon  the  magic  horse 
she  stretched  up  her  arms  to  him,  crying,  "  O 
master  of  the  flying  bird,  leave  me  not  desolate, 
for  if  thou  goest  from  me  now  I  shall  die." 

No  sooner  did  Prince  Firouz  Schah  hear  those 
words  than  he  checked  his  steed  in  its  flight, 
and  swooping  low  he  bore  down  over  the  palace 
roof,  and  catching  the  princess  up  in  his  arms 
placed  her  upon  the  saddle  before  him  ;  and 
straightway  at  the  pressure  of  its  rider  the  horse 
rose  under  them  and  carried  them  away  high  in 
air,  so  that  they  disappeared  forthwith  from  the 
eyes  of  the  King  and  his  people. 

But  as  they  travelled  the  day  grew  hot  and  the 
sun  burned  fiercely  upon  them ;  and  the  prince 
looking  down  beheld  a  green  meadow  by  the  side 
of  a  lake ;  so  he  said,  "  O  desire  of  my  heart,  let 

84 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

us  go  down  into  yonder  meadow  and  seek  rest 
and  refreshment,  and  there  let  us  wait  till  it  is 
evening,  so  that  we  may  come  unperceived  to  my 
father's  palace ;  and  when  I  have  brought  thee 
thither  safely  and  secretly,  then  will  I  make 
preparation  so  that  thou  mayest  appear  at  my 
father's  court  in  such  a  manner  as  befits  thy 
rank." 

So  the  princess  consenting,  they  went  down 
and  sat  by  the  lake  and  solaced  themselves 
sweetly  with  love  till  it  was  evening.  Then 
they  rose  up  and  mounted  once  more  upon  the 
magic  horse  and  came  by  night  to  the  outskirts 
of  the  city  where  dwelt  the  King  of  Persia.  Now 
in  the  garden  of  the  summer  palace  which  stood 
without  the  walls  all  was  silence  and  solitude, 
and  coming  thither  unperceived  the  King's  son 
led  the  princess  to  a  pavilion,  the  door  of  which 
lay  open,  and  placing  before  it  the  magic  horse 
he  bade  her  stay  within  and  keep  watch  till  his 
messenger  should  come  to  take  her  to  the  palace 
which  he  would  cause  to  be  prepared  for  her. 

Leaving  her  thus  safely  sheltered,  the  prince 
went  in  to  the  city  to  present  himself  before  the 
King  his  father  ;  and  there  he  found  him  in  deep 

85 


THE  STORY  OF 

mourning  and  affliction  because  of  his  son's 
absence  ;  and  his  father  seeing  him,  rose  up  and 
embraced  him  tenderly,  rejoicing  because  of  his 
safe  return,  and  eager  to  know  in  what  way  he  had 
fared.  And  the  prince  said,  "  O  my  father,  if  it 
be  thy  good  will  and  pleasure,  I  have  come 
back  to  thee  far  richer  than  I  went.  For  I  have 
brought  with  me  the  fairest  princess  that  the 
eyes  of  love  have  ever  looked  upon,  and  she  is  the 
daughter  of  the  King  of  Bengal ;  and  because  of 
my  love  for  her  and  the  great  service  which 
she  rendered  me  when  I  was  a  stranger  in  the 
midst  of  enemies,  therefore  have  I  no  heart  or 
mind  or  will  but  to  win  your  consent  that  I  may 
marry  her."  And  when  the  King  heard  that,  and 
of  all  that  the  princess  had  done,  and  of  how 
they  had  escaped  together,  he  gave  his  consent 
willingly,  and  ordered  that  a  palace  should  be 
immediately  got  ready  for  her  reception  that  she 
might  on  the  next  day  appear  before  the  people 
in  a  manner  befitting  her  rank. 

Then  while  preparation  was  going  forward, 
the  prince  sought  news  concerning  the  sage,  for 
he  feared  that  the  King  might  have  slain  him. 
"  Do  not  speak  of  him,"  cried  the  King.  "  Would 

86 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

to  Heaven  that  I  had  never  set  eyes  on  him  or  his 
invention,  for  out  of  this  has  arisen  all  my 
grief  and  lamentation.  Therefore  he  now  lies  in 
prison  awaiting  death." 

"  Nay,"  said  the  prince  "  now  surely  should  he 
be  released  and  suitably  rewarded,  seeing  that 
unwittingly  he  hath  been  the  cause  of  my 
fortune ;  but  do  not  give  him  my  sister  in 
marriage." 

So  the  King  sent  and  caused  the  Indian  to  be 
brought  before  him  clad  in  a  robe  of  rank.  And 
the  King  said  to  him,  "  Because  my  son,  whom 
thy  vile  invention  carried  away  from  me,  hath 
returned  safe  and  sound,  therefore  will  I  spare 
thy  life.  And  for  the  reward  of  thine  ingenuity  I 
give  thee  this  robe  of  honour  ;  but  now  take  thy 
horse,  wherever  it  may  be,  and  go,  nor  ever  appear 
in  my  sight  again.  And  if  thou  wilt  marry,  seek 
one  of  thine  own  rank,  but  do  not  aspire  to  the 
daughters  of  kings." 

When  the  Indian  heard  that,  he  dissembled  his 
rage,  and  bowing  himself  to  the  earth  departed 
from  the  King's  presence.  And,  as  he  went, 
everywhere  in  the  palace  ran  the  tale  how  the 
King's  son  had  returned  upon  the  magic  horse, 

87 


THE  STORY  OF 

bringing  with  him  a  princess  of  most  marvellous 
beauty,  and  how  they  had  alighted  in  the  gardens 
of  the  summer  palace  that  lay  outside  the  walls. 

Now  when  this  was  told  him  the  Indian  at 
once  saw  his  opportunity,  and  going  forth  from 
the  city  in  haste  he  arrived  at  the  summer  palace 
before  the  messenger  with  the  appointed  retinue 
which  the  prince  and  the  King  were  sending.  So 
coming  to  the  pavilion  in  the  garden  he  found 
the  princess  waiting  within,  and  before  the  door 
the  horse  of  ivory  and  ebony.  Then  was  his  heart 
uplifted  for  joy,  the  more  so  when  he  perceived  how 
far  the  damsel  exceeded  in  loveliness  all  that  had 
been  told  of  her.  Entering  the  chamber  where 
she  sat  he  kissed  the  ground  at  her  feet ;  and  she, 
seeing  one  that  wore  a  robe  of  office  making 
obeisance  before  her,  spake  to  him  without  fear, 
saying,  "  Who  art  thou  ?  " 

The  sage  answered,  "  O  moon  of  beauty,  I  am 
but  the  dust  which  lies  upon  the  road  by  which 
thou  art  to  travel.  Yet  I  come  as  a  messenger 
from  the  King's  son  who  hath  sent  me  to  bring 
thee  with  all  speed  to  a  chamber  in  the  royal 
palace  where  he  now  awaits  thee." 

Now  the   Indian  was  of  a  form  altogether 

88 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

hideous  and  abominable.  The  princess  looked 
at  him,  therefore,  in  surprise,  saying,  "  Could  not 
the  King's  son  find  any  one  to  send  to  me  but 
thee  ? "  The  sage  laughed,  for  he  read  the 
meaning  of  her  words.  "O  searcher  of  hearts," 
he  said,  "  do  not  wonder  that  the  prince  hath 
sent  to  thee  a  man  whose  looks  are  unat- 
tractive, for  because  of  his  love  toward  thee 
he  is  grown  exceeding  jealous.  Were  it  other- 
wise, I  doubt  not  that  he  would  have  chosen 
the  highest  and  most  honourable  in  the  land ; 
but,  being  what  I  am,  he  has  preferred  to 
make  me  his  messenger. 

When  the  princess  heard  that,  she  believed 
him,  and  because  her  impatience  to  be  with  her 
lover  was  great,  she  yielded  herself  willingly  into 
his  hands.  Then  the  sage  mounted  upon  the 
horse  and  took  up  the  damsel  behind  him ;  and 
having  bound  her  to  his  girdle  for  safety,  he 
turned  the  pin  so  swiftly  that  immediately  they 
rose  up  into  the  air  far  above  the  roof  of  the 
palace  and  in  full  view  of  the  royal  retinue  which 
was  even  then  approaching. 

Now  because  his  desire  to  be  with  his  beloved 
was  so  strong,  the  prince  himself  had  come  forth 


THE  STORY  OF 

before  all  others  to  meet  her  ;  and  when  he  saw 
her  thus  carried  away  captive,  he  uttered  a  loud 
cry  of  lamentation,  and  stretched  out  his  hands 
toward  her.  The  cry  of  her  lover  reached  the 
ears  of  the  princess,  and  looking  down  she  saw 
with  wonder  his  gestures  of  grief  and  despair. 
So  she  said  to  the  Indian,  "  O  slave,  why  art 
thou  bearing  me  away  from  thy  lord,  disobeying 
his  command  ? "  The  sage  answered,  "  He  is 
not  my  lord,  nor  do  I  owe  him  any  duty  or 
obedience.  May  Heaven  repay  on  him  all  the 
grief  he  has  brought  on  me,  for  I  was  the  maker 
of  this  horse  on  which  he  won  thee,  and  because 
he  stole  it  from  me  I  was  cast  into  prison.  But 
now  for  all  my  wrongs  I  will  take  full  payment, 
and  will  torture  his  heart  as  he  hath  tortured 
mine.  Be  of  good  cheer,  therefore,  for  doubt  not 
that  presently  I  shall  seem  a  more  desirable 
lover  in  thine  eyes  than  ever  he  was." 

On  hearing  these  words  the  princess  was  so 
filled  with  terror  and  loathing  that  she  endea- 
voured to  cast  herself  from  the  saddle ;  but  the 
Indian  having  bound  her  to  his  girdle,  no  present 
escape  from  him  was  possible. 

The  horse  had  meanwhile  carried  them  far 

90 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

from  the  city  of  the  King  of  Persia,  and  it  was 
yet  an  early  hour  after  dawn  when  they  arrived 
over  the  land  of  Cashmire.  Assured  that  he  was 
now  safe  from  pursuit,  and  perceiving  an  unin- 
habited country  below  him,  the  Indian  caused 
the  horse  to  descend  on  the  edge  of  a  wood 
bordered  by  a  stream.  Here  he  made  the  prin- 
cess dismount,  and  was  proceeding  to  force  upon 
her  his  base  and  familiar  attentions,  when  the 
cries  raised  by  the  princess  drew  to  that  spot 
a  party  of  horsemen  who  had  been  hunting  in 
the  neighbourhood.  The  leader  of  the  party, 
who  chanced  to  be  no  other  than  the  Sultan  of 
that  country,  seeing  a  fair  damsel  undergoing 
ill-treatment  from  one  of  brutish  and  malevolent 
aspect,  rode  forward  and  demanded  of  the  Indian 
by  what  right  he  so  used  her.  The  sage  boldly 
declared  that  she  was  his  wife  and  that  how  he  used 
her  was  no  man's  business  but  his  own.  The 
damsel,  however,  contradicted  his  assertion  with 
indignation  and  scorn,  and  so  great  were  her 
beauty  and  the  dignity  of  her  bearing  that  her 
statement  of  the  case  had  only  to  be  heard  to 
be  believed.  The  Sultan  therefore  ordered  the 
Indian  to  be  bound  and  beaten,  and  afterwards 

9i 


THE  STORY  OF 

to  be  led  away  to  the  adjacent  city  and  there 
cast  into  the  deepest  dungeon.  As  for  the 
princess  and  magic  horse,  he  caused  them  to 
be  brought  to  the  palace  ;  and  there  for  the 
damsel  he  provided  a  magnificent  apart- 
ment with  slaves  and  attendants  such  as  be- 
fitted her  rank  ;  but  the  horse,  whose  properties 
remained  secret,  since  no  other  use  for  it  could 
be  discovered,  was  placed  in  the  royal  treasury. 

Now  though  the  princess  was  full  of  joy 
over  her  escape  from  the  Indian,  and  of  gratitude 
to  her  deliverer,  she  could  not  fail  to  read  in  the 
Sultan's  manner  towards  her  the  spell  cast  by 
her  beauty.  And,  in  fact,  no  later  than  the 
next  day,  awakened  by  sounds  throughout  the 
whole  city  of  tumult  and  rejoicing,  and  inquiring 
as  to  the  reason,  she  was  informed  that  these 
festivities  were  the  prelude  to  her  own  nuptials 
with  the  Sultan  which  were  to  be  celebrated  that 
very  day  before  sundown. 

At  this  news  her  consternation  was  so  great 
that  she  immediately  swooned  away,  and  re- 
mained for  a  long  while  speechless.  But  no 
sooner  had  she  recovered  possession  of  her 
faculties  than   her  resolution  was  formed,  and 

92 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

when  the  Sultan  entered,  as  is  customary  on 
such  occasions,  to  present  his  compliments  and 
make  inquiries  as  to  her  health,  she  fell  into  an 
extravagance  of  attitude  and  speech,  so  artfully 
contrived  that  all  who  beheld  her  became  con- 
vinced of  her  insanity.  And  the  more  surely 
to  effect  her  purpose,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
relieve  her  feelings,  she  made  a  violent  attack 
upon  the  Sultan's  person  ;  nor  did  she  desist  until 
she  had  brought  him  to  recognize  that  all  hopes 
for  the  present  consummation  of  the  nuptials  were 
useless. 

On  the  following  day  also,  and  upon  every  suc- 
ceeding one,  the  princess  showed  the  same  violent 
symptoms  whenever  the  Sultan  approached  her. 
It  was  in  vain  that  all  the  wisest  physicians  in 
the  country  were  summoned  into  consultation. 
While  some  declared  that  her  malady  was 
curable,  others,  to  whose  word  the  princess  by 
her  actions  lent  every  possible  weight,  declared 
that  it  was  incurable  ;  and  in  no  case  was  any 
remedy  applied  that  did  not  seem  immediately 
to  aggravate  the  disorder. 

And  here  for  a  while  we  must  leave  the  princess 
and  return   to  Prince    Firouz    Schah,  whose 

93 


THE  STORY  OF 

affliction  no  words  can  describe.  Unable  to 
endure  the  burden  of  his  beloved  one's  absence 
in  the  splendours  of  his  father's  palace,  or  to 
leave  her  the  victim  of  fate  without  an  attempt 
at  rescue,  he  put  on  the  disguise  of  a  travelling 
dervish,  and  departing  secretly  from  the  Persian 
court  set  out  into  the  world  to  seek  for  her. 

For  many  months  he  travelled  without  clue 
or  tidings  to  guide  him  ;  but  as  Heaven  ever 
bestows  favour  on  constancy  in  love,  so  it  led 
him  at  last  to  the  land  of  Cashmire,  and  to  the 
city  of  its  Sultan.  Now  as  he  drew  near  to  it  by 
the  main  road,  he  fell  into  conversation  with  a 
certain  merchant,  and  inquired  of  him  as  to  the 
city  and  the  life  and  conditions  of  its  inhabitants. 
And  the  merchant  looked  at  him  in  surprise, 
saying,  "  Surely  you  have  come  from  a  far 
country  not  to  have  heard  of  the  strange  things 
which  have  happened  here,  for  everywhere  in 
these  regions  and  among  all  the  caravans  goes  the 
story  of  the  strange  maiden,  and  the  ebony  horse, 
and  the  waiting  nuptials." 

Now  when  the  prince  heard  that,  he  knew 
that  the  end  of  his  wanderings  was  in  sight :  so 
looking  upon  the  city  with  eyes  of  gladness, 

94 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

"Tell  me,"  he  said,  "for  I  know  none  of  these 
things."  So  the  merchant  told  him  truly  all 
that  has  here  been  narrated  ;  and  having  ended 
he  said,  "  O  dervish,  though  you  are  young, 
you  have  in  your  eyes  the  light  of  wisdom  ;  and 
if  you  have  also  in  your  hands  the  power  of 
healing,  then  I  tell  you  that  in  this  city  fortune 
awaits  you,  for  the  Sultan  will  give  even  the 
half  of  his  kingdom  to  any  man  that  shall 
restore  health  of  mind  to  this  damsel." 

Then  the  King's  son  felt  his  heart  uplifted 
within  him,  howbeit  he  knew  well  that  the 
fortune  he  sought  would  not  be  of  the  Sultan's 
choosing ;  so  parting  from  the  merchant,  he 
put  on  the  robe  of  a  physician,  and  went  and 
presented  himself  at  the  palace. 

The  Sultan  was  glad  at  his  coming,  for  though 
many  physicians  had  promised  healing  and 
had  all  failed,  still  each  new  arrival  gave  him 
fresh  hopes.  Now  as  the  sight  of  a  physician 
seemed  ever  greatly  to  increase  the  princess's 
malady,  the  Sultan  led  him  to  a  small  closet 
or  balcony,  that  thence  he  might  look  upon  her 
unperceived.  So  Prince  Firouz  Schah,  having 
travelled  so  many  miles  in  search  of  her,  saw 

95 


THE  STORY  OF 

his  beloved  seated  in  deep  despondency  by  the 
side  of  a  fountain ;  and  ever  with  the  tears 
falling  down  from  her  eyes  she  sighed  and 
sang.  Now  when  he  heard  her  voice  and  the 
words,  and  beheld  the  soft  grief  of  her  counten- 
ance, then  the  prince  knew  that  her  disorder  was 
only  feigned  ;  and  he  went  forth  and  said  to 
the  Sultan,  "  This  malady  is  curable  ;  but  for 
the  cure  something  is  yet  lacking.  Let  me  go  in 
and  speak  with  the  damsel  alone,  and  on  my  life 
I  promise  that  if  all  be  done  according  to  my 
requirements,  before  this  time  to-morrow  the  cure 
shall  be  accomplished." 

At  these  words  the  Sultan  rejoiced  greatly, 
and  he  ordered  the  doors  of  the  princess's  chamber 
to  be  opened  to  the  physician.  So  Firouz  Schah 
passed  in,  and  he  and  his  beloved  were  alone 
together.  Now  because  of  his  grief  and  wander- 
ings and  the  growth  of  his  beard,  the  face  of  the 
prince  was  so  changed  that  the  princess  did  not 
know  him  ;  but  seeing  one  before  her  in  the  dress 
of  a  physician  she  rose  up  in  pretended  frenzy 
and  began  to  throw  herself  about  with  violence, 
until  from  utter  exhaustion  she  fell  prostrate. 

Thereupon  the  prince  drew  near,  and  called  her 

96 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

gently  by  name ;  and   immediately  when  she 
heard  his  voice  she  knew  him,  and  uttered  a  loud 
cry.    Then  the  king's  son  put  his  mouth  to  her 
ear  and  said  "O  temptation  of  all  hearts,  now  spare 
my  life  and  have  patience,  for  surely  I  am  come 
to  save  thee  ;  but  if  the  Sultan  learn  who  I  am 
we  are  dead,  thou  and  I,  because  his  jealousy 
is  great."     So  she  replied,  saying,  "  O  thou  that 
bringest  me  life,  tell  me  what  I  shall  do  ?  "  The 
prince  said,  "  When  I  depart  hence  let  it  appear 
that  I  have  restored  to  thee  the  possession  of  thy 
faculties  ;  howbeit  the  full  cure  is  to  come  after. 
Therefore  when  the  Sultan  comes  to  thee,  be 
sad  and  meek  and  do  not  repulse  him  as  thou 
hast  done  aforetime.    Yet  have  no  fear  but  that  I 
will  keep  thee  safe  from  him  to  the  last."  And 
so  saying  he  left  the  princess  and  returned  to  the 
Sultan,  and  said  to  him,  "  Go  in  and  see  whether 
the  cure  be  not  already  at  work ;  but  approach 
not  near  to  her,  for  though  the  genie  that  pos- 
sessed her  is  bound  he  is  not  yet  cast  forth : 
nevertheless  to-morrow  before  noon  the  remedy 
shall  be  complete." 

So  the  Sultan  went  and  found  her  even  as  he 
had  been  told  ;  and  with  joy  and  gratitude  he 

97  7 


THE  STORY  OF 

returned  to  Firouz  Schah,  saying,  "  Truly  thou 
art  a  healer  and  the  rest  are  but  bunglers  and 
fools.  Now,  therefore,  give  orders  and  all  shall 
be  done  according  to  thy  will.  Doubt  not  that 
thy  reward  shall  be  great." 

Then  the  prince  said,  "  Let  the  horse  of  ivory 
and  ebony  which  was  with  her  at  the  first  be 
brought  forth  and  set  again  in  the  place  where 
it  was  found,  and  let  the  damsel  also  be  brought 
and  put  into  my  hand  ;  and  it  shall  be  that  when 
I  have  set  her  upon  the  horse,  then  the  evil 
genie  that  held  her  shall  be  suddenly  loosed, 
passing  from  her  into  that  which  was  aforetime 
his  place  of  bondage.  So  shall  the  remedy  be 
complete,  and  the  princess  find  joy  in  her  lord 
before  the  eyes  of  all." 

Now  when  the  Sultan  heard  that,  the  mystery 
of  the  ebony  horse  seemed  plain  to  him,  and  its 
use  manifest.  Therefore  he  gave  orders  that 
with  all  speed  the  thing  should  be  done  as  the 
physician  of  the  princess  required  it. 

So  early  on  the  morrow  they  brought  the  horse 
from  the  royal  treasury,  and  the  princess  from 
her  chamber,  and  carried  them  to  the  place  where 
they  were  first  found  ;  and  all  about,  a  great 

98 


THE  MAGIC  HORSE 

crowd  of  the  populace  was  gathered  to  behold  the 
sight.  Then  Prince  Firouz  Schah  took  the 
princess  and  set  her  upon  the  horse,  and  leaping 
into  the  saddle  before  her  he  turned  the  pin  of 
ascent,  and  immediately  the  horse  rose  with  a 
great  sound  into  the  air,  and  hung  above  the  heads 
of  the  affrighted  populace.  And  the  King's  son 
leaned  down  from  the  saddle  and  cried  in  a  loud 
voice,  "  O  Sultan  of  Cashmire,  when  you  wish 
to  espouse  princesses  which  seek  your  protection, 
learn  first  to  obtain  their  consent."  And  so 
saying  he  put  the  horse  to  its  topmost  speed, 
and  like  an  arrow  on  the  wind  he  and  the 
princess  were  borne  away,  and  passed  and 
vanished,  and  were  no  more  seen  in  that  land. 

But  in  the  city  of  the  King  of  Persia  great  joy 
and  welcome  and  thanksgiving  awaited  them  ;  and 
there  without  delay  the  nuptials  were  solemnized 
and  through  all  the  country  the  people  rejoiced 
and  feasted  for  a  full  month.  But  because  of 
the  grief  and  affliction  that  it  had  caused  him 
the  King  broke  the  ebony  horse  and  destroyed 
its  motions.  As  for  the  maker  thereof,  the 
Sultan  of  Cashmire  caused  him  to  be  put  to  a 
cruel  death :  and  thus  is  the  story  of  the  sage 
and  his  invention  brought  to  a  full  ending. 

99 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

In  the  city  of  Harran  there  once  lived  a  King  who 
had  every  happiness  which  life  and  fortune  could 
bestow  save  that  he  lacked  an  heir.  Although, 
according  to  royal  custom,  he  had  in  his  house- 
hold fifty  wives,  fair  to  look  upon  and  affectionate 
in  disposition,  and  though  he  continually  invoked 
on  these  unions  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  still  he 
remained  childless  ;  for  which  cause  all  his  joy 
was  turned  to  affliction,  and  his  wealth  and 
power  and  magnificence  became  as  of  no  account. 

Now  one  night  as  he  slept  there  appeared 
before  him  an  old  man  of  venerable  appearance 
who,  addressing  him  in  mild  accents,  spoke  thus  : 
"  The  prayer  of  the  faithful  among  fifty  has  been 
heard.  Arise,  therefore  and,  go  into  the  gardens 
of  your  palace  and  cause  the  gardener  to  bring 
you  a  pomegranate  fully  ripe.    Eat  as  many  of 

ioo 


THE  WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 


the  seeds  as  you  desire  children,  and  your  wish 
shall  be  fulfilled." 

Immediately  upon  awaking  the  King  remem- 
bered the  dream,  and  going  down  into  the  gardens 
of  the  palace  he  took  fifty  pomegranate  seeds,  and 
counting  them  one  by  one  ate  them  all.  So  in 
due  course  according  to  the  promise  of  his 
dream,  each  of  his  wives  gave  birth  to  a  son 
all  about  the  same  time.  To  this,  however,  there 
was  an  exception,  for  one  of  the  fifty  whose 
name  was  Pirouze,  the  fairest  and  the  most 
honourably  born,  she  alone,  as  time  went  on, 
showed  no  sign  of  that  which  was  expected  of 
her.  Then  was  the  King's  anger  kindled  against 
her  because  in  her  alone  the  promise  of  his  dream 
was  not  fulfilled  ;  and  deeming  such  a  one  hate- 
ful in  the  eyes  of  Heaven  he  was  minded  to  put 
her  to  death.  His  vizier,  however,  dissuaded 
him.  "  Time  alone  can  show,"  said  he,  "  whether 
her  demerits  are  so  great  as  you  now  suppose. 
Let  her  go  back  to  her  own  people  and  remain  in 
banishment  until  the  will  of  Heaven  shall  declare 
itself,  and  if  within  due  time  she  give  birth  to  a 
son  then  can  she  return  to  you  with  all  honour." 
So  the  King  did  as  his  vizier  advised,  and  sent 

IOI 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

Pirouze  back  to  her  own  country  to  the  court  of 
the  Prince  of  Samaria  ;  and  there  before  long  she 
who  had  seemed  barren  had  the  joy  of  becoming  a 
mother  and  gave  birth  to  a  son  whom  she  named 
Codadad,  that  is  to  say,  "  the  Gift  of  God." 
Nevertheless,  because  the  King  of  Harran  had 
put  upon  her  so  public  a  disgrace,  the  Prince  of 
Samaria  would  send  no  word  to  him  of  the 
event ;  so  the  young  Prince  was  brought  up  at  his 
uncle's  court,  and  there  he  learned  to  ride  and 
to  shoot  and  to  perform  such  warlike  feats  as 
become  a  prince,  and  in  all  that  country  he  had 
no  equal  for  accomplishment  or  courage. 

Now  one  day,  when  Codadad  had  reached  the 
age  of  eighteen,  word  came  to  him  that  his  father 
the  King  of  Harran  was  engaged  in  war  and 
surrounded  by  enemies  ;  so  the  Prince  said  to  his 
mother,  "Now  is  it  time  that  I  should  go  and 
prove  myself  worthy  of  my  birth  and  the  equal  of 
my  brethren ;  for  here  in  Samaria  all  is  peace 
and  indolence,  but  in  Harran  are  hardship  and 
dangers,  and  great  deeds  waiting  to  be  done." 
And  his  mother  said  to  him,  "  O  my  son,  since  it 
seems  good  to  thee,  go ;  but  how  wilt  thou 
declare  thyself  to  thy  father,  or  cause  him  to 

102 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

believe  thy  word,  seeing  that  he  is  ignorant  of 
thy  birth  ?  "  Codadad  answered,  "  I  will  so 
declare  myself  by  my  deeds  that  before  my  father 
knows  the  truth  he  shall  wish  that  it  were  true." 

So  he  departed  and  came  in  princely  arms  to 
the  city  of  Harran,  and  there  offered  his  service 
to  the  King  against  all  his  enemies.  Now,  no 
sooner  had  the  King  looked  upon  the  youth  than 
his  heart  was  drawn  toward  him  because  of  his 
beauty  and  the  secret  ties  of  blood,  but  when  he 
asked  from  what  country  he  came,  Codadad 
answered,  "  I  am  the  son  of  an  emir  of  Cairo,  and 
wherever  there  is  war  I  go  to  win  fame,  nor  do  I 
care  in  what  cause  I  fight  so  long  as  I  be 
proved  worthy." 

The  Prince  was  not  slow  in  making  his  valour 
known  ;  before  long  he  had  risen  to  the  command 
of  the  whole  army,  not  only  over  the  heads  of  his 
brethren  but  also  of  the  more  experienced  officers. 
And  thereafter,  when  peace  was  re-established, 
the  King,  finding  Codadad  as  prudent  as  he 
was  valiant,  appointed  him  governor  to  the  young 
Princes. 

Now  this  act,  though  justified  by  merit,  could 
not  fail  to  increase  the  hatred  and  jealousy  which 

103 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

Codadad's  brethren  had  long  felt  towards  him. 
"What?"  they  cried,  "shall  this  stranger  not 
only  steal  from  us  the  first  place  in  the  King's 
favour,  but  must  we  also  be  in  obedience  to  his 
ruling  and  judgment  ?  Surely  if  we  do  so  we 
are  no  sons  of  a  King." 

So  they  conspired  together  how  best  to  be  rid  of 
him.  One  said,  "  Let  us  fall  upon  him  with  our 
swords."  "  No,  no,"  said  another,  "  for  so  doing 
we  shall  but  bring  punishment  upon  ourselves. 
But  let  us  so  arrange  matters  as  to  draw  on  him 
the  weight  of  the  King's  anger ;  thus  shall  our 
vengeance  be  made  both  safe  and  complete." 

To  this  the  other  Princes  agreed  ;  so  forming  a 
design  which  seemed  favourable  to  their  end  they 
approached  Codadad,  and  besought  his  permission 
to  go  forth  together  on  a  hunting  expedition, 
promising  to  return  the  same  day.  Codadad, 
deeming  the  request  reasonable,  immediately 
granted  it :  the  brothers  departed,  but  they  did 
not  return. 

On  the  third  day  the  King  made  inquiry  as  to 
the  reason  of  their  absence.  Codadad  replied 
that  they  were  gone  on  a  hunting  expedition  but 
had  promised  to  return  much  sooner.  Another 

104 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

day  passed  and  the  King  grew  anxious ;  yet 
another,  and  he  became  furious ;  and  all  his 
wrath  was  directed  against  Codadad.  "O  traitor," 
he  cried,  "  why  has  thou  neglected  thy  trust  and 
allowed  my  sons  to  go  anywhere  unaccompanied 
by  thee  ?  Now  go  instantly  and  search  for  them, 
and  if  thou  find  them  not  be  assured  that  on  thy 
head  shall  fall  the  penalty." 

At  these  words  the  Prince  was  filled  with 
sudden  foreboding,  for  he  knew  that  the  brothers 
had  no  love  for  him,  and  well  could  he  see  now 
the  danger  into  which  he  had  fallen.  All  he 
could  do,  however,  was  to  obey ;  so  furnishing 
himself  with  arms  and  a  horse  good  for  travelling, 
he  set  out  in  search  of  his  brethren. 

After  some  days  employed  in  a  fruitless  quest 
he  came  to  a  desolate  tract  in  the  midst  of  which 
stood  a  castle  of  black  marble.  As  he  approached 
he  beheld  at  an  upper  window  a  damsel  of 
marvellous  beauty,  with  torn  garments,  dis- 
hevelled hair,  and  a  countenance  expressive  of 
the  most  lively  affliction,  who  immediately  that 
she  set  eyes  on  him  wrung  her  hands  and  waived 
him  away  crying  "  Oh,  fly,  fly  from  this  place  of 
death  and  the  monster  which  inhabits  it  !  For 

105 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

here  lives  a  black  giant  which  feeds  on  human 
flesh,  seizing  all  he  can  find.  Even  now  in  his 
dungeons  you  may  hear  the  cries  of  those  whom 
for  his  next  meal  he  will  devour." 

"  Madam,"  replied  the  Prince,  "  for  my  safety 
you  need  have  no  care.  Only  be  good  enough  to 
inform  me  who  you  are  and  how  you  came  to  be 
in  your  present  plight."  "  I  come  from  Cairo," 
she  replied,  "  where  my  birth  gives  me  rank. 
And  as  I  was  travelling  from  thence  on  my  road 
to  Bagdad  this  monstrous  negro  suddenly  fell 
upon  us,  and  having  slain  my  escort  brought  me 
hither  a  captive,  to  endure,  if  Heaven  refuses  me 
succour,  things  far  worse  than  death.  But 
though  I  know  my  own  peril  I  will  not  see 
others  perish  in  a  vain  attempt  to  rescue  me, 
therefore  once  more  I  entreat  you  to  fly  ere  it  be 
too  late  !  " 

But  even  as  she  spoke,  the  negro,  a  horrible 
and  gigantic  monster  of  loathsome  appearance, 
came  in  sight  moving  rapidly  toward  the  palace. 
No  sooner  had  he  caught  sight  of  the  Prince  than 
he  rushed  upon  him  with  growls  of  fury,  and 
drawing  his  scimitar  aimed  at  him  a  blow  which, 
had  it  found  him,  must  there  and  then  have 

1 06 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

ended  the  fight.  The  Prince,  however,  swerved 
nimbly  under  the  stroke,  and  reaching  his  farthest, 
wounded  the  giant  in  the  knee  ;  then  wheeling 
his  charger  about  before  the  negro  could  turn  on 
his  maimed  limb  he  attacked  him  from  the  rear, 
and  with  one  fortunate  blow  brought  him  to 
earth.  Instantly,  before  the  giant  could  gather 
up  his  huge  length  and  regain  his  vantage, 
Codadad  spurred  forward  and  with  a  single 
sweep  of  his  sword  smote  off  his  head. 

Meanwhile,  all  breathless  above,  the  lady  had 
leaned  watching  the  contest.  Now,  seeing  that 
victory  was  secured,  she  gave  free  vent  to  her 
joy  and  gratitude.  "  O  prince  of  men  !  "  she  cried, 
"now  is  revealed  to  me  the  high  rank  to  which 
thou  wast  born.  Finish,  then,  thy  work  ;  take 
from  the  girdle  of  yonder  wretch  the  keys  of  the 
castle  and  come  quickly  to  the  release  of  me  and 
my  fellow  prisoners." 

The  Prince  did  according  to  her  directions  ;  as 
he  opened  the  gates  and  entered  the  forecourt  the 
lady  advanced  to  meet  him,  ready,  had  he  per- 
mitted it,  to  throw  herself  in  gratitude  at  his 
feet.  And  now,  as  he  beheld  near  at  hand  the 
beauty  which  had  charmed  him  from  a  distance, 

107 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

Codadad  realized  how  great  had  been  his  fortune, 
and  with  his  whole  heart  rejoiced  at  the  deliver- 
ance of  one  in  whose  nature  so  much  virtue 
and  grace  seemed  blended. 

But  while  he  was  thus  lost  in  the  contemplation 
of  her  loveliness  there  arose  from  the  basement 
of  the  castle  a  dreadful  sound  of  crying  and 
lamentation.  "What  is  that?"  inquired  the 
Prince.  "  It  is  the  cry  of  the  prisoners,"  replied 
the  lady,  "  to  whom,  I  doubt  not,  the  opening  of 
the  gates  has  betokened  the  monster's  return. 
Come,  therefore,  quickly  and  relieve  them  of 
their  misery."  And  so  saying  she  pointed  to  the 
door  which  led  to  the  place  of  confinement. 

Thither,  accompanied  by  the  lady,  went 
Codadad  with  all  speed.  Descending  by  a  dark 
stair  he  came  upon  a  vast  cavern  dimly  lighted, 
around  the  walls  of  which  a  hundred  prisoners 
lay  chained.  Instantly  he  set  to  work  to  loose 
their  bonds,  informing  them  at  the  same  time  of 
the  death  of  their  captor  and  of  their  freedom 
from  all  further  danger.  At  these  unexpected 
tidings  the  captives  raised  a  cry  of  joy  and 
thanksgiving ;  but  great  as  was  their  surprise  at 
such  unlooked-for  deliverance,  greater  still  was 

108 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

that  of  the  Prince  when,  on  bringing  them  to  the 
light,  he  discovered  that  forty-nine  of  the  hundred 
whom  he  had  released  were  his  own  brethren. 

The  Princes  received  the  cordial  embraces  of 
their  deliverer  with  little  embarrassment,  for  the 
disaster  into  which  they  had  fallen  had  caused 
them  almost  entirely  to  forget  their  original 
intent.  Satisfied  with  expressing  in  proper  terms 
their  obligation  and  gratitude  toward  Codadad, 
they  now  joined  eagerly  in  his  survey  of  the 
castle ;  there  upon  examination  they  found  an 
extraordinary  variety  and  wealth  of  booty,  con- 
sisting for  the  most  part  of  merchandise  which  the 
negro  had  pillaged  from  passing  caravans,  some 
of  it  actually  belonging  to  those  whom  Codadad 
had  so  recently  rescued. 

The  Prince  accordingly  ordered  the  merchants 
each  to  take  what  he  recognized  as  his  own ; 
and  this  being  done  he  divided  the  rest 
equally  between  them.  The  question  then  arose 
how  they  should  remove  their  plunder  from  a 
place  so  desolately  situated,  where  it  would  seem 
impossible  to  procure  means  of  conveyance  ;  but 
on  a  further  search  they  found  not  only  the 
camels  of  the  merchants,  but  also  the  horses  on 
which  the  Princes  of  Harran  had  ridden ;  and  as, 

109 


THE  WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 


at  their  approach  the  black  slaves  who  were  in 
charge  of  the  stables  fell  into  headlong  flight, 
Codadad  and  his  companions  found  themselves 
left  in  undisputed  possession.  The  merchants 
therefore  loaded  their  camels,  and  with  renewed 
protestations  of  gratitude  departed  on  the  several 
roads  by  which  their  avocations  called  them. 

When  they  were  gone  Codadad's  next  care  was 
to  inquire  of  the  lady  in  what  direction  she 
wished  to  travel,  promising  that  he  and  the 
Princes  would  conduct  her  in  safety  to  any  place 
she  might  name.  The  lady  replied,  thanking 
him  for  his  generous  offer.  "  But  wherever  I 
go,"  said  she,  "  it  cannot  be  to  my  own  country, 
for  not  only  is  it  too  far  distant,  but  cruel  mis- 
fortune has  separated  me  from  it  for  ever.  And 
since  you  have  put  me  under  so  great  an  obli- 
gation, let  me  now  confess  the  truth  which  before 
I  thought  it  prudent  to  conceal.  My  dignity  of 
rank  is  far  higher  than  that  to  which  I  recently 
laid  claim  ;  in  me  you  behold  a  King's  daughter, 
and  if  it  will  interest  you  to  hear  the  story  of 
my  misfortunes,  I  shall  be  happy  to  recount  it." 
Assured  of  the  lively  sympathy  of  her  auditors 
she  began  as  follows : 

no 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 
PRINCESS  OF  DERYABAR 


My  father  was  the  King  of  a  city  among  the 
isles  named  Deryabar,  and  I  was  his  only  child  ; 
for,  in  spite  of  his  many  prayers  directed  to  that 
end,  Heaven  had  not  granted  him  a  son. 
And  for  this  cause,  though  he  bestowed  upon 
my  education  all  imaginable  care,  the  sight  of 
me  remained  displeasing  to  him.  In  order  the 
better  to  forget  his  sorrow  he  spent  his  days  in 
hunting,  and  so  he  chanced  on  the  event  which 
led  to  all  our  misfortunes.  For  one  day,  as  he 
was  riding  unattended  in  the  forest,  night  over- 
took him  and  he  knew  not  which  way  to  turn. 
Presently  in  the  distance  he  perceived  a  light, 
and  advancing  towards  it  he  came  upon  a  hut 
within  which  a  monstrous  negro  stood  basting 
an  ox  that  roasted  before  the  fire.  In  the 
further  corner  of  the  hut  lay  a  beautiful  woman 
with  hands  bound,  and  a  face  betokening  the 

in 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 


deepest  affliction,  while  at  her  feet  a  young  child, 
between  two  and  three  years  of  age,  stretched 
up  its  arms  and  wailed  without  ceasing. 

At  this  sight  my  father  was  filled  with  com- 
passion, but  his  desire  to  effect  her  rescue  was 
restrained  for  a  while  by  fear  that  a  failure 
might  only  make  matters  worse.  In  the  mean- 
time the  giant,  having  drained  a  pitcher  of  wine, 
sat  down  to  eat.  Presently  he  turned  himself 
about  and  addressed  the  lady.  "  Charming 
Princess,"  said  he,  "  why  will  you  not  accept  the 
good  things  which  are  within  your  reach  ?  Only 
yield  to  me  the  love  that  I  demand  and  you  will 
find  in  me  the  gentlest  and  most  considerate  of 
lords."  To  these  advances,  however,  the  lady 
replied  with  resolution  and  courage.  "  Vile 
monster,"  she  cried,  "  every  time  I  look  at  you 
does  but  increase  my  hatred  and  loathing  toward 
you.  Unchangeable  as  the  foulness  of  your 
appearance  is  the  disgust  with  which  you  inspire 
me!" 

These  words  of  violent  provocation  were  no 
sooner  uttered  than  the  negro,  beside  himself 
with  rage,  drew  his  sword,  and  seizing  the  lady 
by  the  hair,  lifted  her  from  the  ground  in  prepara- 

112 


PRINCESS  OF  DERYABAR 

tion  for  the  blow  that  would  have  ended  all 
Whereupon,  seeing  that  not  a  moment  was  to  be 
lost,  my  father  drew  his  bow  and  let  fly  an 
arrow  with  so  good  an  aim  that  pierced  to  the 
heart  the  giant  fell  dead.  Immediately  entering 
the  hut  my  father  raised  the  lady  from  the 
swoon  into  which  she  had  fallen,  and  severing 
her  bonds  gave  her  the  needed  reassurance  that 
all  danger  was  now  over.  Before  long  he 
learned  in  answer  to  his  inquiries  that  she  had 
been  wife  to  a  chief  of  the  Saracens,  in  whose 
service  the  slain  giant  had,  on  account  of  his 
great  strength,  occupied  a  position  of  trust. 
This,  however,  he  had  shamelessly  betrayed ;  for 
having  conceived  a  violent  passion  for  his  master's 
wife,  he  first  persuaded  the  chief  into  an  expedi- 
tion which  terminated  in  his  death,  and  then 
returning  in  haste  carried  away  by  force  not  only 
the  lady  but  her  child  also.  From  this  degrad- 
ing bondage  my  father's  act  had  now  saved  her  ; 
but  though  thus  relieved  of  immediate  danger,  the 
wife  of  the  Saracen  chief  was  both  solitary  and 
friendless,  for  not  only  was  she  too  far  removed 
from  her  own  land  to  return  to  it  unaided,  but 
she  had  small  hope,  should  she  ever  arrive  there, 

113  8 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 


of  securing  for  her  son  his  rightful  inheritance. 
This  being  the  case  my  father,  moved  with 
compassion,  determined  to  adopt  the  child  as 
his  own  ;  and  as  the  lady  gratefully  accepted  his 
proposal,  the  next  day  as  soon  as  it  was  light  he 
returned  to  Deryabar  bringing  with  him  mother 
and  son. 

Thus  it  came  about  that  the  son  of  a  Saracen 
chief  was  brought  up  in  my  father's  palace  like 
a  Prince  of  the  blood  royal ;  and  so,  on  attaining 
to  manhood,  having  both  grace  and  good  looks 
to  recommend  him,  he  came  to  forget  the  com- 
parative lowliness  of  his  origin,  and  aspiring  to 
become  my  father's  heir,  had  the  presumption 
to  demand  my  hand  in  marriage. 

A  claim  so  audacious  merited  the  severest 
punishment,  yet  my  father  merely  remarked  that 
he  had  other  views  concerning  me,  and  with 
so  lenient  a  rebuke  would  have  passed  the  matter 
by.  His  refusal,  however,  excited  in  the  proud 
youth  the  liveliest  resentment ;  seeing  that  he  could 
not  obtain  his  ambition  by  fair  means  he  imme- 
diately entered  into  conspiracy,  and  having 
treacherously  slain  my  father,  caused  himself  to  be 
made  King  in  his  place.    Fresh  from  this  mon- 

114 


1 


PRINCESS  OF  DERYABAR 

strous  crime  he  renewed  his  suit  for  my  hand,  and 
was  preparing  to  enforce  it  by  violence,  when  the 
vizier,  who  alone  of  all  my  father's  court  had 
remained  faithful  to  his  memory,  found  means 
to  convey  me  from  the  palace  to  a  sailing 
vessel  which  was  leaving  harbour  the  same 
night. 

Here  for  a  time  I  seemed  to  have  reached 
safety,  but  when  we  had  been  only  three  days  at 
sea  a  violent  storm  arose,  and  the  ship,  driving 
helplessly  before  it,  struck  upon  a  rock  and  went 
down  leaving  as  sole  survivor  the  one  who  least 
wished  to  be  spared.  How  I  was  saved  I  know 
not,  nor  how  long  I  lay  unfriended  by  the 
desolate  shore  upon  which  I  had  been  cast ;  but 
scarcely  had  the  consciousness  of  life  returned 
to  me  when  I  heard  a  multitudinous  sound  of 
swift  galloping ;  and  presently,  feeling  myself 
lifted  by  men's  hands,  I  turned  and  saw  halting 
near  me  a  troop  of  Arab  horsemen,  and  at 
their  head  a  youth  royally  arrayed  and  beauti- 
ful as  the  morning.  Thus  when  my  fortunes 
were  at  their  lowest  I  beheld  him  whom  Heaven 
had  sent  not  only  to  afford  me  that  deliver- 
ance of  which  I   stood  so  much  in  need,  but 

ii5 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 


also  to  restore  me  to  the  rank  due  to  my 
birth.  For  let  me  confess  that  after  this  young 
Prince  had  succoured  me  with  the  most  tender 
solicitude,  conducting  me  in  all  honour  to  his 
own  palace  and  there  lodging  me  under  his 
mother's  protection,  I  experienced  towards  him  a 
feeling  of  duty  and  gratitude  such  as  would  have 
made  his  lightest  wish  my  law.  When  therefore 
with  an  ardent  and  ever  increasing  devotion  he 
desired  me  to  become  his  bride,  I  could  not, 
upon  the  completion  of  my  recovery,  refuse  him 
the  happiness  he  sought. 

But  the  festivities  of  our  marriage  were 
scarcely  ended,  when  suddenly  by  night  the  city 
in  which  we  dwelt  was  attacked  by  a  band  of 
travelling  marauders.  The  attack  was  so  un- 
expected and  so  well  planned  that  the  town 
was  stormed  and  the  garrison  cut  to  pieces 
before  any  news  of  the  event  had  reached  the 
palace.  Under  cover  of  darkness  we  managed 
to  escape,  and  fleeing  to  the  sea  shore  took 
refuge  on  a  small  fishing  boat,  in  which  we 
immediately  put  out  to  sea,  hoping  to  find  in 
the  rude  winds  and  waves  a  safer  shelter  than  our 
own  walls  had  afforded  us. 

116 


PRINCESS  OF  DERYABAR 

For  two  days  we  drifted  with  wind  and  tide, 
not  knowing  any  better  direction  in  which  to  turn  ; 
upon  the  third  we  perceived  with  relief  a  ship 
bearing  down  upon  us,  but  as  we  watched  its 
approach  our  satisfaction  was  soon  changed  to  ap- 
prehension and  dread,  for  we  saw  clearly  that  those 
on  board  were  neither  fishermen  nor  traders,  but 
pirates.  With  rude  shouts  they  boarded  our 
small  bark,  and  seizing  my  husband  and  myself 
carried  us  captive  to  their  own  vessel.  Here 
the  one  who  was  their  leader  advanced  towards 
me  and  pulled  aside  my  veil ;  whereupon  a  great 
clamour  instantly  arose  among  the  crew,  each 
contending  for  the  possession  of  me.  The  dis- 
pute upon  this  point  grew  so  warm  that  pre- 
sently they  fell  to  fighting  ;  and  a  bitter  and 
deadly  conflict  was  maintained  till  at  last  only  a 
single  pirate  was  left.  This  one,  who  now  re- 
garded himself  as  my  owner,  proceeded  to  inform 
me  of  what  was  to  be  my  fate.  "  I  have,"  he  said, 
"  a  friend  in  Cairo  who  has  promised  me  a  rich 
reward  if  I  can  supply  him  with  a  slave,  more 
beautiful  than  any  of  those  that  his  harem  now 
contains.  The  distinction  of  earning  me  this 
reward  shall  be  yours."    "  But  tell  me,"  he  went 

117 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

on,  turning  towards  the  place  where  my  husband 
stood  bound,  "who  is  this  youth  that  accom- 
panies you  ?  Is  he  a  lover  or  a  brother,  or  only 
a  servant  ?  "  "  Sir,"  said,  I  "  he  is  my  husband." 
"  In  that  case"  he  replied,  "  out  of  pity  we  must 
get  rid  of  him,  for  I  would  not  afflict  him  need- 
lessly with  the  sight  of  another's  happiness." 
And  so  saying,  he  took  my  husband,  all  bound 
as  he  was,  and  threw  him  into  the  sea. 

So  great  was  my  grief  at  the  sight  of  this  cruel 
deed,  that  had  I  not  been  bound  myself  I  should 
undoubtedly  have  sought  the  same  end  to  my 
sufferings.  But  for  the  sake  of  future  profit  the 
pirate  took  the  most  watchful  care  of  me,  not  only 
so  long  as  we  were  on  board  the  ship  but  also  when, 
a  few  days  later,  we  came  to  port  and  there  joined 
ourselves  to  a  large  caravan  which  was  about  to 
start  on  the  road  to  Cairo.  While  thus  travelling 
in  apparent  safety,  we  were  suddenly  attacked 
by  the  terrible  negro  who  lately  owned  this 
castle.  After  a  long  and  dubious  conflict  the 
pirate,  and  all  who  stood  by  him,  were  slain,  while 
I  and  those  of  the  merchants  who  had  remained 
timorously  looking  on  were  seized,  and  brought 
hither  as  prisoners  destined  as  it  seemed  for  a 

n8 


PRINCESS   OF  DERYABAR 

fate  far  more  lingering  and  terrible.  The  rest 
of  my  story,  brave  Prince,  I  need  not  here  re- 
count, since  the  shaping  of  it  was  so  largely  in 
your  own  hands,  and  since  to  you  alone  is  owed 
the  happiness  of  its  conclusion." 

When  the  Princess  of  Deryabar  had  thus 
finished  the  tale  of  her  wanderings,  Codadad 
hastened  to  assure  her  how  deep  was  his  sym- 
pathy in  all  her  misfortunes.  "  But  if  you  will 
allow  yourself,"  he  continued,  "  to  be  guided  by 
me,  your  future  life  shall  be  one  of  safety  and 
tranquillity.  You  have  but  to  come  as  my  bride, 
and  the  King  of  Harran  will  offer  you  an  hon- 
ourable welcome  to  his  court ;  while,  as  regards 
myself,  my  whole  life  shall  be  devoted  to  securing 
for  you  that  happiness  which  your  grace  and 
noble  qualities  prove  that  you  deserve.  And 
that  you  may  not  regard  this  proposal  as  too 
presumptuous,  I  have  now  to  inform  you,  and 
also  these  Princes,  concerning  my  birth  and 
rank.  For  I,  too,  am  a  son  of  the  King  of  Harran, 
born  to  him  at  the  court  of  Samaria  by  his  wife 
the  Princess  Pirouze,  whom  he  had  sent  unjustly 
into  banishment." 

119 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

This  declaration  on  the  part  of  Codadad  so 
accorded  with  the  inclinations  of  the  Princess 
that  she  at  once  yielded  her  consent,  and  as  the 
castle  was  full  of  provisions  suitable  for  the 
occasion,  preparations  were  made  firstto  solemnize 
the  marriage,  and  then  for  all  together  to  set  forth 
on  the  return  journey  to  Harran.  As  for  the 
Princes,  though  they  received  Codadad's  news  with 
every  outward  protestation  of  joy,  they  were  in  fact 
more  filled  with  apprehension  and  jealousy  than 
before,  for  they  could  not  but  fear  that  his  favour 
with  the  King  would  be  greatly  increased  and  be- 
come far  more  dangerous  to  their  interests  when 
the  true  facts  of  his  birth  were  revealed.  No 
sooner,  therefore,  had  Codadad  and  the  Princess 
passed  to  their  nuptials,  than  his  brethren  entered 
into  a  conspiracy  to  slay  him  ;  and  at  the  first  halt 
upon  the  homeward  journey,  taking  advantage 
of  the  lack  of  protection  which  a  tent  affords, 
they  came  upon  their  brother  by  night,  and  stab- 
bing him  in  a  hundred  places  as  he  lay  asleep,  left 
him  for  dead  in  the  arms  of  his  bride.  They  then 
broke  up  the  camp  and  returned  with  all  haste  to 
the  city  of  Harran,  where,  with  a  falsely  invented 
tale  they  excused  themselves  to  the  King  for 
their  long  absence. 

120 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

In  the  meantime  Codadad  lay  so  spent  by  loss 
of  blood  that  there  remained  in  him  no  sign  of 
life.  The  Princess,  his  wife,  distraught  with 
grief,  had  already  given  him  up  for  dead.  "  O 
Heaven,"  she  cried,  bathing  his  body  with  her 
tears,  "  why  am  I  thus  ever  condemned  to  bring 
on  others  disaster  and  death,  and  why  for  a 
second  time  have  I  been  deprived  of  the  one  I  was 
about  to  love  ?  " 

As  thus  she  continued  to  cry  in  piteous 
lamentation,  and  to  gaze  on  the  senseless  form 
lying  before  her,  she  thought  that  she  per- 
ceived on  the  lips  a  faint  motion  of  breath. 
At  once  her  hope  revived,  and  springing  to  her 
feet  she  ran  instantly  in  the  direction  of  the 
nearest  village,  hoping  to  find  there  a  surgeon  or 
one  that  had  skill  in  the  binding  of  wounds. 
Returning  after  a  time  with  the  aid  that  she  had 
summoned  she  found  to  her  grief  the  place  where 
Codadad  had  lain  left  vacant,  nor  was  there  any 
trace  or  indication  of  the  fate  which  had  over- 
taken him. 

Overwhelmed  by  this  final  catastrophe,  and 
believing  that  some  wild  beast  must  have  de- 
voured him,  she  suffered  herself  to  be  led  away 
by  the  surgeon,  who,  in  pity  for  one  so  greatly 

121 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

afflicted,  placed  her  under  the  shelter  of  his  own 
roof,  and  lavished  upon  her  every  mark  of  con- 
sideration and  respect.  So,  when  she  had  suffi- 
ciently recovered,  for  her  griefs  to  find  utterance 
he  gathered  from  her  own  lips  all  the  circum- 
stances of  her  story,  her  name  and  rank,  the 
high  and  valiant  deeds  of  the  Prince  her  husband, 
and  the  base  ingratitude  of  his  brethren. 
And  perceiving  that  her  grief  and  sufferings 
had  so  robbed  her  of  the  desire  of  life  that 
without  some  end  on  which  to  direct  her  will  she 
would  presently  pass  into  a  decline,  the  surgeon 
endeavoured  to  arouse  her  to  the  pursuit  of  that 
just  vengeance  which  the  murder  of  her  husband 
had  earned.  "  Do  not "  he  said,  "  let  the  death 
of  so  noble  a  Prince  become  a  benefit  to  his 
enemies.  Let  us  go  together  to  the  King  of 
Harran,  and  make  known  to  him  the  guilt  of 
these  wicked  brethren.  For  surely  the  name  of 
Codadad  should  live  in  story  ;  but  if  you,  whose 
honour  he  saved,  now  sink  under  your  affliction 
his  name  perishes  with  you,  and  you  have  not 
retrieved  your  debt." 

These  words  roused  the  Princess  from  her 
deep  despondency  ;   forming  her  resolution  on 

122 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

the  surgeon's  advice,  she  arose  instantly  and 
prepared  herself  for  the  journey,  and  with  such 
haste  and  diligence  did  she  pursue  her  project, 
that  within  two  days  she  and  her  companion 
arrived  at  the  city  of  Harran. 

Here  strange  news  awaited  them  ;  for  at  all  the 
caravanseri  it  was  told  how  lately  there  had  come 
to  the  city  an  exiled  wife  of  the  King,  Princess 
Pirouze  by  name,  enquiring  for  news  of  her  lost 
son;  and  how,  as  now  appeared,  this  son  had  already 
been  under  a  feigned  designation  at  his  father's 
court,  and  after  performing  many  exploits  and 
deeds  of  heroism  had  disappeared  none  knew 
whither.  Forty-nine  sons  had  the  King  by 
different  wives,  but  all  these,  it  was  declared,  he 
would  willingly  put  to  death  so  only  that  Codadad 
might  be  restored  to  him. 

Now  when  the  Princess  of  Deryabar  heard 
this,  she  said,  "  I  will  go  to  the  Queen  Pirouze' 
and  make  known  to  her  the  fate  of  her  son,  and 
when  we  have  wept  together  and  drawn  comfort 
from  each  other  in  our  grief  then  we  will  go  be- 
fore the  King,  and  demand  vengeance  on  the 
murderers."  But  the  surgeon  said,  "  Have  a 
care  what  you  do ;  for  if  the  Princes  of  Harran 

123 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

learn  of  your  arrival,  they  will  not  rest  till  they 
have  done  to  you  as  they  did  to  your  husband. 
Let  us  therefore  proceed  with  secrecy,  so  as  to 
ensure  safety,  and  do  you  on  no  account  let  your 
presence  here  be  known  till  the  King  has  been 
thoroughly  informed  of  the  whole  matter."  Then 
leaving  the  Princess  in  a  place  discreetly  chosen 
he  went  forth  into  the  streets  and  began  to 
direct  his  steps  towards  the  palace.  Presently 
he  was  met  by  a  lady  mounted  upon  a  mule 
richly  caparisoned,  and  behind  her  followed  a 
great  troop  of  guards  and  attendants.  As  she 
approached  the  populace  ran  out  of  their  houses 
and  stood  in  rows  to  see  her  go  by,  and  when 
she  passed  all  bowed  down  with  their  faces  to  the 
earth.  The  surgeon  inquired  of  a  beggar  stand- 
near  whether  this  was  one  of  the  King's  wives. 
"  Yes,  brother,"  replied  the  beggar,  "  and  the  best 
of  them  all ;  for  she  is  the  mother  of  Prince 
Codadad,  whom,  now  that  he  is  lost,  all  hold 
in  love  and  reverence.  And  thus  each  day  she 
goes  to  the  mosque  to  hear  the  prayers  which 
the  King  has  ordered  for  her  son's  safe  return." 

Seeing  his  course  now  clear  the  surgeon  went 
and  stood  at  the  door  of  the  mosque,  waiting  the 

124 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

Queen's  departure,  and  when  she  came  forth  with 
all  her  attendants  he  plucked  one  of  them  by  the 
sleeve  and  said  to  him,  "  If  the  Queen  would 
have  news  of  her  son,  Prince  Codadad,  let  her  send 
for  the  stranger  who  will  be  found  waiting  at  the 
door  of  her  palace."  So,  as  soon  as  Pirouze  had 
returned  to  her  apartments,  the  slave  went  in  and 
gave  his  mistress  the  message.  Then  she  sent 
in  all  haste  and  caused  the  surgeon  to  be  brought 
before  her.  And  the  surgeon  prostrated  himself 
and  said,  "  O  Queen,  let  not  the  grief  of  the  tidings 
which  I  bear  be  visited  upon  me  but  on  them 
that  were  the  cause  of  it."  And  she  answered 
him,  "  Have  peace,  and  say  on  !  "  So  he  told 
her,  as  has  been  here  set  forth,  the  full  story  of 
all  the  courage  and  prowess  of  Codadad,  and  of 
his  generosity  towards  his  brethren,  also  of  his 
marriage  to  the  Princess  of  Deryabar  and  of  what 
followed  after.  But  when  he  came  to  speak  of 
the  slaying  of  her  son,  the  tender  mother,  as 
though  receiving  in  her  own  body  the  strokes  of 
the  murderers  fell  forward  upon  the  ground,  and 
there  for  a  while  lay  motionless  without  sign  of 
life.  When  however  the  surgeon,  aided  by  her 
women,  had  restored  her  to  consciousness,  then 

125 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

Pirouze,  putting  aside  all  personal  grief,  set  her 
mind  upon  the  accomplishment  of  the  duty  which 
now  lay  before  her.  "  Go  instantly,"  she  said,  "and 
tell  the  Princess  of  Deryabar  that  the  King  will 
shortly  receive  her  with  all  the  honour  due  to 
her  rank.  As  for  yourself,  be  assured  that  your 
services  will  be  remembered." 

Hardly  had  the  surgeon  departed,  when  the 
King  himself  entered,  and  the  sight  of  his  Queen's 
deep  affliction  at  once  informed  him  that  some- 
thing dreadful  must  have  occurred.  "Alas,"  she 
cried,  "our  son  no  longer  exists,  nor  is  it  even 
possible  to  pay  to  his  body  those  last  rites  which 
were  due  to  his  rank  and  virtue,  for  stricken  by 
treacherous  hands  and  left  to  perish  unprotected 
he  has  fallen  a  prey  to  wild  beasts  so  that  not 
a  trace  of  him  remains."  She  then  proceeded  to 
inform  her  husband  of  all  the  horrible  circum- 
stances which  the  surgeon  had  narrated. 

But  before  she  had  ended  the  King  became  so 
transported  with  rage  and  grief  that  he  could  no 
longer  delay  the  setting  in  motion  of  his  just 
vengeance.  Repairing  in  haste  to  the  hall  of 
audience,  where  courtiers  and  suitors  stood 
waiting,  he  summoned  to  him  his  grand  vizier 

126 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

with  so  much  fury  of  countenance  that  all 
trembled  for  their  lives.  "Go  instantly,"  he 
cried,  "arrest  all  the  Princes,  and  convey  them 
under  a  strong  guard  to  the  prison  assigned  for 
murderers  !  "  The  vizier,  not  daring  to  question 
an  order  so  terribly  uttered,  went  forth  and 
fulfilled  the  King's  command  with  all  speed.  On 
his  return  to  the  palace  for  the  presentation  of 
his  report,  a  further  order  almost  equally  surpris- 
ing awaited  him.  The  King  described  to  him  a 
certain  inn  lying  in  a  poor  quarter  of  the  city. 
"Go  thither,"  said  he,  "take  with  you  slaves 
and  high  attendants,  a  white  mule  from  the  royal 
stables,  and  a  guard  of  honour,  and  bring  hither 
with  all  the  respect  due  to  her  rank  the  young 
Princess  whom  you  shall  find  there." 

The  vizier,  with  revived  spirits,  went  forth  to 
fulfil  this  second  mission,  so  much  more  agreeable 
to  him  than  the  first ;  and  presently  there  arose 
from  the  streets  leading  to  the  palace  the  acclama- 
tions of  the  populace  because  of  the  magnificence 
and  splendour  which  announced  the  arrival  of 
the  unknown  Princess.  The  King,  as  a  token 
of  respect,  stood  waiting  at  the  palace  gates  to 
receive  her,  and  taking  her  hand  he  led  her  to  the 

127 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

apartments  of  the  Queen  Pirouze.  Here  at  the 
meeting  of  mother  and  wife  a  scene  of  the  most 
tender  and  heart-rending  affliction  took  place. 
The  King  himself  was  so  moved  by  it  that  he 
had  not  the  heart  to  refuse  to  them  any  request. 
So  when  they  came  and  besought  for  the  absent 
those  funeral  honours  which  under  other  cir- 
cumstances would  have  been  his  due,  he  gave 
orders  for  a  dome  of  marble  to  be  erected  on  the 
plain  by  which  the  city  of  Harran  lies  surrounded. 
And  with  such  speed  was  the  work  put  in  hand, 
and  so  large  was  the  number  of  men  employed 
upon  it,  that  within  three  days  the  entire  building 
was  completed. 

On  the  day  following  the  obsequies  began. 
All  was  done  with  the  greatest  solemnity  and 
splendour.  First  came  the  King  attended  by 
his  vizier  and  all  the  officers  and  lords  of  his 
palace ;  and  entering  the  tomb,  in  which  lay  an 
effigy  of  Codadad,  they  seated  themselves  on 
carpets  of  mourning  bordered  with  gold.  Then 
followed  the  chiefs  of  the  army  mounted  upon 
horses  and  bewailing  the  loss  of  him  who  had 
led  them  to  victory  ;  behind  these  came  old  men 
upon  black  mules,  with  long  robes  and  flowing 

128 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

beards  ;  and  after  these  maidens  on  white  horses, 
with  heads  unveiled,  bearing  in  their  hands 
baskets  of  precious  stones.  Now  when  these 
had  approached  and  compassed  the  dome  three 
times  about,  then  the  King  rose  up  to  speak  the 
dismissal  of  the  dead.  Touching  with  his  brow 
the  tomb  whereon  the  effigy  lay,  he  cried  in  a 
loud  voice,  "  O  my  dear  son,  O  light  of  mine 
eyes,  O  joy  that  is  lost  to  me  for  ever."  After 
him  all  the  lords  and  the  chiefs  and  the  elders 
came  and  prostrated  themselves  in  like  manner ; 
and  when  the  ceremony  was  ended  the  doors 
of  the  tomb  were  shut  and  all  the  people  returned 
to  the  city. 

Now  after  this  there  was  prayer  and  fasting  in 
the  mosque  for  eight  days,  and  on  the  ninth  the 
King  gave  orders  that  the  Princes  were  to  be  be- 
headed. But  meanwhile  the  neighbouring  powers, 
whose  arms  the  King  of  Harran  had  defeated,  as 
soon  as  they  heard  that  Codadad  was  dead,  banded 
themselves  together  in  strong  alliance,  and  with 
a  great  host  began  to  advance  upon  the  city. 
Then  the  King  caused  the  execution  to  be  post- 
poned, and  making  a  hasty  levy  of  his  forces 
went  forth  to  meet  the  enemy  in  the  open  plain. 

129  9 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

And  there  battle  was  joined  with  such  valour  and 
determination  on  both  sides  that  for  a  time  the 
issue  remained  doubtful.  Nevertheless,  because 
the  men  of  Harran  were  fewer  in  number  they 
began  to  be  surrounded  by  their  enemies  ;  but 
at  the  very  moment  when  all  seemed  lost  they 
saw  in  the  distance  a  large  body  of  horsemen 
advancing  at  the  charge ;  and  while  both  com- 
batants were  yet  uncertain  of  their  purpose,  these 
fell  furiously  and  without  warning  upon  the 
ranks  of  the  allies,  and  throwing  them  into 
sudden  disorder  drove  them  in  rout  from  the 
field. 

With  the  success  of  their  arms  thus  estab- 
lished the  two  leaders  of  the-  victorious  forces 
advanced  to  meet  each  other  in  the  presence  of 
the  whole  army,  and  great  was  the  joy  and 
astonishment  of  the  King  when  he  discovered  in 
the  leader  of  the  lately-arrived  troop  his  lost  son 
Codadad.  The  Prince,  for  his  part,  was  equally 
delighted  to  find  in  his  father's  welcome  the 
recognition  for  which  he  had  yearned. 

When  the  long  transport  of  their  meeting 
embrace  was  over,  the  Prince,  as  they  began  to 
converse,  perceived  with  surprise  how  much 

130 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

was  already  known  to  the  King  of  past  events. 
"  What?"  he  inquired,  "  has  one  of  my  brothers 
awakened  to  his  guilt,  and  confessed  that  which 
I  had  meant  should  ever  remain  a  secret  ? " 
"  Not  so,"  replied  the  King,  "  from  the  Princess 
of  Deryabar  alone  have  I  learned  the  truth.  For 
she  it  was  who  came  to  demand  vengeance  for 
the  crime  which  your  brothers  would  still  have 
concealed." 

At  this  unlooked-for  news  of  the  safety  of  the 
Princess  and  of  her  arrival  at  his  father's  court, 
Codadad's  joy  was  beyond  words,  and  greatly 
was  it  increased  when  he  heard  of  his  mother's 
reinstatement  in  the  King's  favour  with  the 
honour  and  dignity  due  to  her  rank.  He  now 
began  to  perceive  how  events  had  shaped  them- 
selves in  his  absence,  and  how  the  King  had 
already  become  informed  of  the  bond  that  existed 
between  them.  As  for  the  rest  of  his  adventures, 
together  with  the  circumstance  which  had  led  to  his 
disappearance  and  supposed  death,  they  were  soon 
explained.  For  when  the  Princess  had  left  Codadad 
in  her  desperate  search  for  aid,  there  chanced 
that  way  a  travelling  pedlar  ;  and  he,  finding  the 
youth  apparently  deserted   and  dying    of  his 

131 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 

wounds,  took  pity  on  him,  and  placing  him  upon 
his  mule  bore  him  to  his  own  house.  There 
with  medicinal  herbs  and  simple  arts  unknown  in 
the  palaces  of  kings  he  had  accomplished  a  cure 
which  others  would  have  thought  impossible,  so 
that  in  a  short  time  Codadad's  strength  was  com- 
pletely restored.  Thereupon  the  Prince  impatient 
for  reunion  with  those  whom  he  loved,  bestowed 
on  the  pedlar  all  the  wealth  that  he  possessed,  and 
immediately  set  forth  toward  the  city  of  Harran. 

On  the  road  news  reached  him  of  the  fresh  out- 
break of  hostilities  followed  by  the  invasion  of  his 
father's  territory.  Passing  from  village  to  vil- 
lage he  roused  and  armed  the  inhabitants,  and  by 
the  excellence  of  his  example  made  such  soldiers 
of  them  that  they  were  able  in  the  fortunate 
moment  of  their  arrival  to  decide  the  issue  of 
the  conflict  and  give  victory  to  the  King's  arms. 

"  And  now,  sire,"  said  the  Prince  in  con- 
clusion, "  I  have  only  one  request  to  make : 
since  in  the  event  all  things  have  turned  out 
so  happily,  I  beg  you  to  pardon  my  brothers  in 
order  that  I  may  prove  to  them  in  the  future  how 
groundless  were  the  resentment  and  jealousy 
that  they  felt  toward  me." 

132 


WICKED  HALF-BROTHERS 

These  generous  sentiments  drew  tears  from 
the  King's  eyes  and  removed  from  his  mind  all 
doubt  as  to  the  wisdom  of  the  resolution  he  had 
been  forming.  Immediately  before  the  assembled 
army  he  declared  Codadad  his  heir,  and,  as  an  act 
of  grace  to  celebrate  his  son's  return,  gave  orders 
for  the  Princes  to  be  released.  He  then  led 
Codadad  with  all  speed  to  the  palace,  where 
Pirouze  and  her  daughter-in-law  were  anxiously 
awaiting  them. 

In  the  joy  of  that  meeting  the  Prince  and  his 
wife  were  repaid  a  thousandfold  for  all  the  griefs 
and  hardships  they  had  undergone :  and  their 
delight  in  each  other's  society  remained  so  great 
that  in  all  the  world  no  happiness  has  been  known 
to  equal  it.  The  Princes  half  died  of  shame 
when  the  means  by  which  their  pardon  had  been 
procured  was  revealed  to  them  ;  but  before  long 
the  natural  insensibility  of  their  characters  re- 
asserted itself  and  they  recovered. 


133 


r 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


TP  m 


And  there  in  its  midst  stood  a  mighty 
Genie. 


When  having  brought  into  submission 
all  the  rest  of  my  race. 


No  sooner  had  the  monarch  seen  them,  so 
strange  of  form  and  so  brilliant  and 
diverse  in  hue. 


Whereupon  one  upset  the  pan  into  the  fire. 


■ 


Recalling  the  fisherman  by  a  swift  mes- 
senger. 


He  arrived  within  sight  of  a  palace 
shining  marble. 


The  Queen  of  the  Ebony  Isles. 


I 


Supposing  me  asleep  they  began  tr>  talk 


The  cup  of  wine  which  she  gives  him  each 
night  contains  a  sleeping-draught. 


She  went  on  to  vent  her  malice  upon  the 
city  and  islands. 


Began  to  heap  upon  me  terms  of  the  most 
violent  and  shameful  abuse. 


Thus  by  her  wicked  machinations  the 
became  a  lake. 


1 


Great  was  the  astonishment  of  the  Vizier 
and  the  Sultan's  escort. 


Their  chief  in  a  low  but  distinct  voice 
uttered  the  two  words  "Open  Sesame!" 


I 


Ali  Baba  departed  for  the  town  a  well 
satisfied  man. 


As  soon  as  he  came  in  she  began  to  jeer 
at  him. 


Greater  still  was  the  exultation  of  a  greedy 
nature  like  that  of  Cassim's. 


1 


Musiapha  doubted  much  of  Ins  ability  to 
refrain- from  question. 


1 


This  way  and  that  "e  led  him  blindfold. 


Having  transformed  himself  by  disguise. 


uSt'r,"  said  he,  "I  have  brought  my  oil 
a  great  distance  to  sell  to-morrow." 


She  poured  into  each  jar  in  turn  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  the  boiling  oil  to  scald  its 
occupant  to  death. 


When  Morgiana  who  had  remained  all 
this  time  on  the  watch. 


! 


Then  for  the  last  figure  of  all  she  drew 
out  the  dagger. 


At  so  arrogant  a  claim  all  the  courtiers 
burst  into  loud  laughter. 


As  he  descended,  the  daylight  in  zvhich 
hitherto  he  had  been  travelling  faded  from 
view. 


He  saw  black  eunuchs  lying  asleep. 


She  gave  orders  for  a  rich  banquet  to  be 
prepared. 


Till  the  tale  of  her  mirror  contented  her. 


She  cried:  "  O  miserable  man  what  sorry 
watch  is  this  that  thou  has  kept. 


All  this  time  the  Princess  had  been 
watching  the  combat  from  the  roof  of  the 
palace. 


In  the  garden  of  the  summer  palace  all 
was  silence  and  solitude. 


f 


I 


Sat  by  the  lake  and  solaced  themselves 
sweetly  with  love. 


//  was  in  vain  that  all  the  wisest  physicians 
in  the  country  were  summoned  into  con- 
sultation. 


For  many  months  he  travelled  without  clue. 


A  nd  ever  with  the  tears  falling  down  from 
her  eyes  she  sighed  and  sang. 


There  appeared  before  him  an  old  man  of 
venerable  appearance. 


Pirouze,  the  fairest  and  most  honourably 
born. 


Reaching  his  farthest  wounded  the  giant 
in  the  knee. 


The  lady  advanced  to  meet  him. 


-ft 


city  among  the  Isles  named  Deryah 


Presently  in  the  distance  he  perceived 
a  light. 


The  ship  struck  upon  a  rock. 


And  presently,  feeling  myself  lifted  by 
mens  hands. 


The  Princess  of  Deryabar. 


She  found  to  her  grief  the  place  where 
Codadad  had  lain  left  vacant. 


\ 


She  and  her  companion  arrived  at  the 
city  of  Harran. 


And  taking  her  hand  he  led  her  to  the 
apartments  of  the  Queen  Pirouze. 


After  these,  maidens  on  white  horses,  with 
heads  unveiled,  bearing  in  their  hands 
baskets  oj  precious  stones. 


